UberPop, UberBlack, and the Regulation of Digital Platforms after the Asociación Profesional Elite Taxi Judgment of the CJEU

European Review of Contract Law (Forthcoming)

12 Pages Posted: 13 Feb 2018

See all articles by Philipp Hacker

Philipp Hacker

European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) - European New School of Digital Studies

Date Written: February 1, 2018

Abstract

The Uber case, decided by the Grand Chamber of the CJEU on 20 December 2017, has the potential to reshape the regulation of contracting in the digital economy. More precisely, it specifies the rules applicable to online platforms serving as intermediaries between parties demanding and offering services. The criteria the CJEU uses to reach its conclusion are likely to have repercussions far beyond the area of transportation applications.

This Case Note starts by presenting the facts of the case and the legal background of those EU law provisions potentially governing digital intermediaries. It then explores the criteria the Court uses to distinguish Uber from simple intermediation services, followed by a discussion and critique of these criteria. In the last two sections, it maps out the implications of the judgment for the platform economy, and suggests that one decisive impetus of the judgment should be a thorough review of regulations governing the provision of services in the EU.

Keywords: platforms, digital economy, Uber, Airbnb, sharing economy, freedom to provide services

JEL Classification: K12, K23

Suggested Citation

Hacker, Philipp, UberPop, UberBlack, and the Regulation of Digital Platforms after the Asociación Profesional Elite Taxi Judgment of the CJEU (February 1, 2018). European Review of Contract Law (Forthcoming), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3116143

Philipp Hacker (Contact Author)

European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) - European New School of Digital Studies ( email )

Grosse Scharrnstr. 59
Frankfurt (Oder), Brandenburg 15230
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://https://europa-uni.academia.edu/PhilippHacker

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