Activities of Vicky FORD related to 2015/2147(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Towards a Digital Single Market Act (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on Towards a Digital Single Market Act PDF (619 KB) DOC (373 KB)
Amendments (93)
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that whilst it is impossible to hold backthe digital revolution is transforming Europe's economy and is changing labour markets and whereas new jobs requiring digital skills will emerge; emphasizes that the digital revolution, it is possible to shape its courses an opportunity for the European economy;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
(1a) Underlines the importance of the creative sector to the economy and its contribution to growth and employment; recalls that the copyright intensive activities account for a significant part in the economy;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Believes that barriers to do business digitally and across borders are barriers to growth and job creation;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 51 a (new)
Citation 51 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 10th December 2013 on the evaluation report regarding BEREC and the Office1a, 1a Text adopted, P7_TA-(2013)0536
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Notes that start-ups are important drivers of net job creation across the EU and that at times of high unemployment in many Member States the digital single market offers a unique opportunity for SMEs, micro-enterprises and start-ups to drive growth and job creation;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 51 b (new)
Citation 51 b (new)
- having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1211/2009 of the European Parliament and of The Council establishing the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications and the Office,
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines the importance of the creative sector to the economy and its contribution to growth and employment; recalls that copyright intensive activities account for a significant part of the creative sector's economy;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Highlights the need to create a robust and thriving digital single market, within which unnecessary barriers are removed so that consumers and businesses are given the opportunities and confidence to operate across the EU which in turn will generate new long term sustainable employment opportunities;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Highlights the recent trend of companies returning production and services to Europe and the opportunities this brings for job creation; believes that the completion of the digital single market can help accelerate this trend of re- shoring jobs;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Points out that the creative sector has specificities and different challenges, notably arising from the different types of content, creative works and business models used; therefore calls on the Commission to better identify these specificities and take them into account when proposing modifications and solutions;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that regulation, including employment and social policy, needs to keep pace with the digitalisation of societyfull extent of what is now possible for digital innovation and entrepreneurship;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Strongly believes that creators should be granted appropriate remuneration and that copyright should keep its primary function of allowing creators to gain rewards for their efforts through others making use of their work, thus encouraging future creativity;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the use of the internet and mobile communications has changed the way users communicate, invent, consume and share; whereas this has expanded the market place, facilitating access by small companies to a customer base of 500 million customers and the development byallowing individuals the opportunity to develop new, entrepreneurs of newial ideas;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses the importance of ensuring that all new policy initiatives are innovation friendly and are subject to a digital stress test as part of their impact assessment; and that the existing legislation including in the area of employment and social policy should be reviewed to ensure it is still fit for purpose for the digital age;
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to undertake a thoroughn assessment of the projected impact which digitalisation will have on the number and types of jobs available and to gather information on new forms of employment, such as crowdsourcing and crowdworkingjob opportunities across the EU and the skill sets required to fulfil these opportunities;
Amendment 57 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that platforms and intermediaries should be regulated in such a way as to rule outeduce discrimination to a large extent and guarantee the findability of legal, editorially screened content; and services; believes that consideration should be given to how internet service providers and online intermediaries, along with other actors in the supply chain, such as payment providers, could play a greater role in facilitating action against illegal content and tackling copyright abuses on a commercial scale;
Amendment 57 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
(2a) Underlines that any modification of the current legal framework on copyright should be considered in a targeted way and with a focus on economic growth, competitiveness and enhanced consumer experience;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
(2b) Points out that the creative sector has specificities and different challenges, notably arising from the different types of content and creative works and from the business models used; therefore calls on the Commission to better identify these specificities and take them into account when proposing modifications and solutions;
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
(2c) Calls on the Commission to make sure that any reform of the copyright directive is evidence based and carefully assessed; considers that it should take into account the results of the ex-post impact assessment of the Directive of 2001, and be based on solid evidence including an assessment of the possible impact of the modifying elements; takes the view that a proper economic analysis including the impact with regards to jobs and growth must be carried out;
Amendment 60 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
(2d) Takes the view that any modification of the audiovisual media services directive should take into account new ways of access to audiovisual content and should be consistent with the current reform of legislation relating to copyright;
Amendment 61 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Paragraph 2 e (new)
(2e) Underlines the importance of ensuring accessibility of the Digital Single Market for people with disabilities; in this regard, notes the conclusion of the Marrakesh Treaty, which will facilitate access for the visually impaired to books, and encourages swift ratification thereof;
Amendment 62 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 f (new)
Paragraph 2 f (new)
(2f) Maintains that the approach of copyright exceptions and limitations should be balanced, targeted and format neutral and should not undermine the interests of right holders;
Amendment 64 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 g (new)
Paragraph 2 g (new)
(2g) Emphasises that any European-wide exception for text and data mining should be limited to accredited academic and public-funded research and should not undermine revenue streams or be extended to commercially owned data;
Amendment 65 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 h (new)
Paragraph 2 h (new)
(2h) Points out that the rapid rate of technological development in the digital market calls for a technologically neutral framework for copyright;
Amendment 66 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 i (new)
Paragraph 2 i (new)
(2i) Notes the importance of transparency of copyright levies in those Member States which choose to apply them;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas all Union policies and legislation in the area of the Digital Single Market should allownot restrict the emergence of new opportunities for users and businesses to emerge, especially within today’s service society, while taking a holistic approach that considers their social dimension as theyst recognising that these opportunities will inevitably involve structural changes;
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that as job and skills profiles become more complex, new demands are being placed on training and further education; emphasises the importance of social dialogue in efforts to bring course content up to date and develop skills strategietronger synergies between European and national initiatives, involving the various education and training sectors, the social partners and businesses, with a view to keeping curricula in tune with future labour market needs;
Amendment 87 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that further efforts are needed to overhaul copyright law and that any revised provisions should apply to all mediareform copyright law and that any revised provisions should apply to all media; points out that the rapid rate of technological development in the digital market calls for a technologically neutral framework for copyright; underlines that any modification of the current legal framework on copyright should be considered in a targeted way and with a focus on economic growth, competitiveness and enhanced consumer experience; calls on the Commission to make sure that any reform of the copyright directive is evidence based and carefully assessed; considers that it should take into account the results of the ex-post impact assessment of the Directive of 2001, and be based on solid evidence, including an assessment of the possible impact of the modifying elements; takes the view that a proper economic analysis, including the impact on jobs and growth, must be carried out, in line with the Commission's objective of better regulation;
Amendment 87 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
(2a) Strongly believes that creators should be granted appropriate remuneration and that copyright should keep its primary function of allowing creators to gain rewards for their efforts through others making use of their work, and therefore to encourage future creativity;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas 75% of the value added by the digital economy comes from traditional industry; whereas its integration of digital technology remains weak, with only 1.7% of EU enterprises making full use of advanced digital technologies and 14% of SMEs using the internet as a sales channel; underlines the great potential of the ICT sector in increasing productivity of the European industry;
Amendment 99 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines the importance of ensuring accessibility of the Digital Single Market for people with disabilities; in this regard, notes the conclusion of the Marrakesh Treaty, which will facilitate access for the visually impaired to books, and encourages swift ratification thereof;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas 75% of the value added by the digital economy comes from traditional industry; whereas its integration of digital technology remains weak, with only 1.7% of EU enterprises making full use of advanced digital technologies and 14% of SMEs across the EU using the internet as a sales channel; whereas some member states have far greater online business penetration;
Amendment 104 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that internet service providers should bear greater responsibility for illegal content made available on the internet and shouldconsideration should be given as to how internet service providers and online intermediaries, along with other actors in the supply chain, such as payment providers, could play a significant role ingreater role in facilitating action against illegal content and tackling copyright abuses on a commercial scale;
Amendment 113 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
(3a) Stresses that the growth of online platforms has been driven by consumer demand; notes, however, the importance of taking action against piracy;
Amendment 114 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
(3b) Recognises the clarity that intermediary liability has enabled in terms of the growth of online platforms and warns that the creation of new legal uncertainty in this area could have a negative impact on economic growth;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas a high level of consumer empowerment, protection and satisfaction necessarily entails choice, flexibility, information and trust in a secure online environment;
Amendment 145 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that copyright law is essential to enabling Europe's creative and cultural industries to compete on a global scale and that the economic benefit of copyright is only as effective as the means to enforce it; stresses that an effective and balanced civil enforcement system against infringement of copyright is therefore central to investment in innovation and job creation;
Amendment 147 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Underlines the potential of the platform economy to generate jobs and flexible complementary income; emphasizes that this kind of flexible income is especially needed in those areas most hit by the economic crisis;
Amendment 155 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Recommends a continued focus on improving how children are protected online, through transparent self- regulatory measures in accordance with existing national and EU legislation where appropriate, such as flexible parental controls based on the informed consent of parents, and by collaboration between stakeholders including regulatory authorities, industry, charities and other appropriate entities, including through the implementation of proportionate "notice and takedown" policies in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas small- and medium-sized companies have the most to gain from the digital economy but also have the most to lose from burdensome regulation;
Amendment 165 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 165 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the Commission’s aim to withdraw the proposal on a Common European Sales Law and the intention to propose rules for digital content; notes the proposal to introduce the ‘home’ option’ in order to br with targeted harmonisation as mechanism for bringing down barriers to cross- border trade; but insists on the need for comprehensivethorough evidence and consultation with stakeholders before this approach is pursued, in particular as regardson the impact it would have on the current protection provided to consumers under national law, especially in terms of remedies for failure to comply with the terms of contracts for online sales.with regard to remedies for non-conformity with the contract for online sales; believes that rules on Consumer Rights for Digital Content need to be principles based in order to be technologically neutral and future proof, focused on remedies to concrete problems which have been clearly identified, limited to paid for content only, realistic regarding quality expectations, and fully recognise the differences between digital content and traditionally acquired content; stresses furthermore with regard to future Commission proposals in this area, the importance of avoiding inconsistently and overlap with existing legislation;
Amendment 172 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
(5a) Stresses the need to improve the processes for businesses to establish and operate online across all Member States which should be streamlined and digitalised and calls on the Commission to consider this further in its forthcoming Internal Market strategy;
Amendment 173 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
(5b) Calls for support for small businesses and for the single market to be fit for purpose in a digital age; In this regard, stresses concern about Vatmoss rules, which are hampering small online entrepreneurs by obliging them to collect and process VAT payments, even if they conduct a small volume overseas trade; welcomes in this regard recent suggestions from the Commission on the introduction of minimum thresholds but believes that an interim solution is also urgently required;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Suggests that the digitisation of the Single Market is a trend to be welcomed due to increased choice, competition, innovation, growth potential and lower costs for consumers and larger markets for businesses; emphasises the need to consider the Digital Single Market as a development of the traditional Single Market and not as something separate or different;
Amendment 180 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission, the Member States and the social partners to suggest ways of enhancing social security for self- employed persons in need of protection, in order to safeguard the effectiveness of existing national systems.Highlights that the provision of social security is a Member State competence;
Amendment 186 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
(5c) Considers that the amended proposal by the Commission should also clarify how the existing rules apply in a digital environment when selling online cross- border, including the application of the Services Directive to address unfair online price discrimination based on nationality or location;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that better regulation should help toserve as an examineing policy through a digital lens and facilitate the adaptation ofassess whether legislation and enforcement frameworks in the light of new technologies and new business models to prevent fragmentation of the single market;, such as in the area of competition law, the Services Directive and the consumer protection acquis, are fit for purpose in a digital era in light of new technologies and new business models to prevent fragmentation of the single market; stresses that legislation should aim to be principles based and technology neutral in order to be relevant for future technological developments; considers that any initiatives proposed by the Commission must go through a competitiveness test an innovation test and an SME test; notes that wherever a REFIT exercise is taking place, including the forthcoming REFIT of financial services regulation, the digital perspective must be taken into account:
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recognises that the digital revolution has the potential to empower individuals, entrepreneurs and consumers in a way that was never previously possible;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that users’ trust in digital services is vital to innovation and growth in the digital economy and that reinforcingdigital businesses live and die based on thate trust should be at the basis of both public policy and business modelof their users, and therefore legislative responses need to be tailored to recognising this;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that users’ trust in digital services is vital to innovation and growth in the digital economy and that reinforcing that trust should be at the basis of both public policy and business models; suggests that proper implementation and enforcement of competition law, the Services Directive and the consumer protection acquis could do much to achieve this but recognises that targeted clarification of existing rules may be required;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the urgent need for the Commission and Member States to promoteremove barriers to allow a more dynamic economy for innovation to flourish and for companies to scale up, through the development of e- government, a modernised regulatory framework fit for the emergence and scale- up of innovative businesses, and a long term investment strategy in infrastructure, skills, research and innovation;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the urgent need for the Commission and Member States to promote a more dynamic economy for innovation to flourish and for companies to scale up, through the development of e- government, a modernised regulatory framework fit for the emergence and scale- up of innovative businesses, and a long term investment strategy in infrastructure, skills, research and innovation; calls on the Commission to consult specialists in the field of human sciences as the disruptive nature of technology will have a profound impact on the society;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with Member States, to further develop initiatives to boost entrepreneurship that range from changing the mind-set on how success is defined to, including the promotingon of an entrepreneurial and innovation culture; believes, in addition, that the diversity and specific attributes of the different national innovation hubs could be turned into a real competitive advantage for the EU if they are effectively interconnected;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned aboutby the different national approaches taken ton regulating the internet and the sharing economy; urges the Commission to take action to preserve the integrity of the single market and the internet as an open and global platform for communication and innovbut recognises that opportunities and challenges associated with the collaborative economy often relate to member state competences, such as taxation or employment; urges the Commission to take action to preserve the integrity of the single market and the internet as an open and global platform for communication and innovation using existing Union law, in particular competition law and the Services Directive, as well as the full implementation and enforcement of the recently agreed open internet chapter of the 'Telecoms Single Market" Regulation;
Amendment 325 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned about the different national approaches taken to regulating the internet and the sharing economy; urges the Commission to take action to preserve the integrity of the single market and the internet as an open and global platform for communication and innovation; emphasizes the importance of the Digital Single Market for the European economy;
Amendment 346 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recognises that the collaborative economy can provide a significant economic boost, at virtually no cost, primarily by matching surplus capacity with unmet demand;
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Believes that the digital economy has brought greater consumer empowerment especially through the increasing use of online reviews, peer reviews and customer information prior to purchase;
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Believes that reducing administrative burdens and red tape, making it easier to establish an online retail presence and simple, secure, reliable payment systems also contribute to creating growth in e- commerce; notes that easy online access for businesses and consumers about different legal rights and responsibilities at national, regional and local level is key to enabling the performance of the Single Market; notes that the Points of Single Contact were established under the Services Directive with the ambition to provide such information; expresses deep disappointment in the results of the recent "mystery shopping" exercise conducted by Eurochambres, which identified severe deficiencies in many Member States; believes that Member States must urgently act to rectify this situation;
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Commission’'s initiative to improve theconsumers' legal protection of consumers as regardsconcerning intangible digital content; believes any such improvements must be targeted to specific needs and be proportionate; points out that while consumers buying tangible digital content are protected by consumer protection laws, consumer rights when buyingthere could be greater clarity regarding rights associated with intangible digital content remain largely unregulin many Member Stateds; agrees that consumers should enjoy a comparable level of protection regardless of whether they purchase digital content online or offline; suggests that where possible existing definitions should be used in any new proposals on consumer rights, with particular regard to the definition of 'digital content' in Article 2 (1) of Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights; suggests that, as a guiding principle, if a consumer uses a digital good or content in a manner equivalent to a tangible good, then this digital good or content should be accompanied by equivalent consumer rights; suggests however that it is important to focus on rights associated with the quality of a digital good, not the service providing that good on the basis that service provision is dealt with in a different regulatory context;
Amendment 393 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes the findings of the EPRS report "Contract law and the Digital Single Market: Towards a new EU online consumer sales law?" published in September 2015, which states that "online sales contracts within the EU are by no means a legal lacuna. Whereas there is no legal instrument which specifically addresses the problems posed by such contracts, they are covered by existing legal instruments, both at EU and Member State level. In particular, consumers' information rights and the right of termination at will (cooling- off period) are regulated in the Consumer Rights Directive; the seller's liability for non-conformity of the object sold, as well as guarantees, are regulated in the Consumer Sales Directive; the legality of fine-print terms in a sales contract falls within the scope of the Unfair Terms Directive; and the e-Commerce Directive provides the legal framework for online consumer transactions. Furthermore, the Unfair Commercial Practices directive protects consumers from rogue traders, including those active in the digital environment."
Amendment 406 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that a full harmonisation of the legal frameworkn appropriate level of harmonisation of key consumer rights governing online sales, irrespective of whether they are cross- border or domestic sales, while maintainavoiding a race to the regulatory bottom and keeping the coherence of online and offline rules regarding legal remedies, constitutes the most practical and proportionate approach; notes however that there are longstanding Member State practices in the area of remedies, damages and limitation periods and suggests therefore that consumers should not have fewer rights in these areas than they do in their own traditional market; believes that much of this could be achieved through targeted amendments to existing consumer legislation, including the Consumer Rights Directive and the Consumer Sales and Guarantees Directive;
Amendment 447 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Regrets the imprecision of the Commission’s proposal regarding a legislative measure for a more comprehensive online sales law that covers digital content products as well as tangible goods; suggests the Commission should approach consumer rights for digital content and online purchases of tangible goods separately since they present different challenges, taking into account the need to ensure regulatory certainty for businesses and consumers ahead of the REFIT of the consumer acquis in 2016;
Amendment 451 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Notes that risks to consumer security are often mitigated by supplier-led provision of software upgrades or patches and therefore encourages better promotion by suppliers of security-related upgrades or patches;
Amendment 452 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Believes the future-proofed approach of the e-Commerce Directive has enhanced trust and clarity with regard to the responsibility of stakeholders acting in online marketplaces and suggests that re- opening the directive could risk destabilising that trust;
Amendment 455 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 477 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to encourage stakeholders to explore the possibilities of introducing ansector-specific EU trustmarks for online sales where they do not already exist in order to induce trust, particularly in relation to cross-border online sales;
Amendment 505 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that accessible, affordable, efficient and high-quality delivery services are an essential prerequisite for a thriving cross-border e-commerce; supports the proposed measures to improve price transparency, interoperability and regulatory oversight that should target bothbelieves that parcel delivery services already work well in certain Member States; supports the industry-led measures initiated in 2013 which have contributed to the smooth functioning of the cross- border parcel delivery markets and compliance with relevant social and labour rightshave led to improved price transparency, interoperability, allowing enough flexibility ofor the delivery market to evolve and adapt to technological innovations, taking account of the fact that the underlying infrastructure used by operators to deliver parcels is a crucial factor in ensuring good service; argues that the Commission should continue to work with operators to find innovative solutions to improving services and avoid introducing top-down regulation, such as price caps; emphasises the need for a stable regulatory framework to encourage businesses to make infrastructure investments;
Amendment 532 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Highlights that the parcel industry needs to adapt to modern living patterns and offer more flexible and consumer focused delivery patterns;
Amendment 540 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Argues that to encourage the growth of e-commerce both inside the Single Market and with third countries, the Union Customs Code should be implemented in a manner that does not impede trade flows and that allows for sufficiently long transition periods and targeted exemptions for all economic operators;
Amendment 551 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Considers that ambitioustargeted and proportionate actions are needed to improve access to legal digital content, in particular by ending unjustified geo- blocking practices and unfair price discrimination based on geographical loca, especially through enabling greater cross-border portability of a consumer's legally acquired content and unfair price discrimination based on geographical location, whilst recognising that just as in traditional markets, businesses have the right to decide whether to operate in any individual jurisdiction; also notes that the new rules on VAT collection for digital goods have been so burdensome on small traders that they have stopped trading across borders and calls on the Commission and Member States to introduce a de minimis threshold for micro-entities and for urgent work to be found with stakeholders for an interim solution;
Amendment 601 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Supports in particular the Commission’s planned scrutiny of the practical enforcement of Article 20(2) of the Services Directive in order to analyse possible patterns of unlawful discrimination against consumers based on their country of residence; calls on the Commission to identify and define concise case groups of justified discrimination under Article 20(2) of the Services Directive in order to outlawclarify what is unjustified discriminatory behaviour by private entities and in order to provide interpretative assistance to authorities responsible for applying Article 20(2) in practice; calls on the Commission to make concerted efforts to add the provision of Article 20(2) to the Annex of Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 in order to utilise the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network’s investigation and enforcement powers;
Amendment 615 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Further points out the importance of the ongoing competition sector inquiry into the e-commerce sector in order to investigate, inter alia, whether geo-blocking restrictions infringe the rules of EU competition law; stresses the importance of increasing consumer and business confidence by introducingassessing whether targeted changes to the Block Exemption Regulation, most importantly Article 4a and Article 4b, in order to limit undesirable could limit unjustified re-routing and territorial restrictions;
Amendment 648 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that incentivising private investments in fast and ultra-fast communication networks is a requirement for any digital progress, with competition remaining the main driver of infrastructure investments, innovation, affordable prices and choices for consumers; considers that more competition through liberalisation of telecoms markets has been associated with higher levels of investment and lower prices for consumers; notes that little evidence exists, in the still fragmented European telecommunications market, of a link between consolidation of operators and increased investment in networks; notes the risk of creating telecommunications oligopolies at European level;
Amendment 708 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that since the development of digital services, including over-the-top services, has increased demand and competition to the benefit of consumers, therefore modernisation of the telecommunication framework should not lead to more regulatory burdens, but should drive innovation and fair competition; argues that OTT service providers should abide by the equivalent end user rights provisions as traditional operators, but that where appropriate and where necessary, the utility of such provisions should be reassessed in light of market and technological developments;
Amendment 727 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Stresses the need to ensure that end user rights laid down in the Telecoms Framework are coherent, proportionate and futureproofed; suggests that end users should benefit from the ability to switch providers with ease and that such a process should be winner-led;
Amendment 735 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls as a priority for a harmonised framework forimproved coordination of spectrum allocation to boost long-term infrastructure investments, whilst respecting Member State competences;
Amendment 769 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that uniform enforcement of the Connected Continenfull implementation of the provisions within the Telecoms Single Market pPackage, including the end of roaming surcharges and on the net neutrality principle, requires the establishment of a single European telecommunications regulatorOpen Internet, requires the involvement of the Body of European Regulators in Electronic Communications (BEREC), which has been given an important role in developing European guidelines for the implementation of the net neutrality provisions, and has been requested to provide its technical expertise to inform implementing acts and further legislative proposals on international roaming to be adopted by the European Commission pursuant to the Regulation; believes that BEREC has played an important role in providing coordination of national regulatory authorities at an EU level;
Amendment 831 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Emphasises that online platforms are digital spaces in which traditional commercial relationships between businesses, other businesses and consumers take place; suggests that for this reason online platforms should not be regarded as a delineated, identifiable sector, technology or type of infrastructure in themselves but instead should be assessed in terms of the services they are providing, including inter alia transport, hospitality, financial services, commerce or employment; suggests that in this context, there is already much relevant regulation affecting many types of platforms;
Amendment 837 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Argues that businesses and consumers already benefit from protections offered by Union competition law against monopolistic, dominant or abusive behaviour by other businesses but notes that there are concerns about its enforceability in the digital environment; calls therefore for the Commission to clarify the operation of Union competition law, where necessary, in the digital environment and, where necessary, assistance to national competition authorities to properly apply and enforce Union competition law;
Amendment 838 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Notes that the e-Commerce Directive already seeks to contribute to the proper functioning of the digital single market by ensuring the free movement of information society services, defined as "any service normally provided for remuneration at a distance, by means of electronic equipment for the processing and storage of data, at the individual request of a recipient of the service"; suggests that the ECD has functioned well, given that a core element of the ECD is the protection of consumers, including investors, in spite of dramatic technological changes since its introduction; calls on the Commission to continue using agreed legal definitions as far as possible and to recognise the successes of the provisions in the ECD on intermediary liability as being futureproof and technological neutral;
Amendment 839 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 d (new)
Paragraph 23 d (new)
23d. Notes that provisions of the ECD have been subsequently enhanced by the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, the Consumer Rights Directive and other components of the consumer acquis and that these directives apply as much to traders using online platforms as to traders in traditional markets; calls on the Commission to work with all stakeholders and the European Parliament to introduce clear guidance on the applicability of the consumer acquis to traders using online platforms and, where necessary, assistance to Member State consumer protection authorities to properly enforce consumer law;
Amendment 855 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Appreciates the Commission’'s initiative to analyse the role of platforms in the Digital Ecollaborative economy as part of the upcoming Internal Market Strategy; points out that the collaborative economy brings enormous economic, social and environmental benefits through the more efficient use of resources, skills and other assets; notes that the definition of 'collaborative economy' used by the Commission's Consultation on the regulatory environment for platforms, in particular that it 'links individuals and/or legal persons... allowing them to provide services and/or exchange assets, resources, time, skills, or capital, sometimes for a temporary period and without transferring ownership rights', is in fact a description of a free market;
Amendment 885 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Encourages the Commission to analyse the need to protectbalance between protecting consumers and empowering consumers in the sharingcollaborative economy and, where appropriate and if necessary, to come forward with proposals to ensure the adequacy of the consumer-related legislation framework in the digital sphlarify how the consumer-related legislation framework applies in the digital sphere, including possible abuses; calls therefore for the Commission to assess whether Union competition law and the consumer acquis is sufficient to protect consumers and businesses using platforms in the collaborative economy from possible abuses; also calls on the Commission to clarify the extent to which the free movement of goods and services extends to online platform service providers in the context of widespread legal actions and sanctions against such provideres, including possible abuseswith particular regard to the implementation and enforcement of the Services Directive;
Amendment 894 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Encourages the Commission to analyse the need to protectbalance between protecting and empowering consumers in the sharing economy and, where appropriate and if necessary, to come forward with proposals to ensure the adequacy of the consumer- related legislation framework in the digital sphere, including possible abuses;
Amendment 895 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Encourages the Commission to analyse the need to protect consumers in the sharing economy and, where appropriate and if necessary, to come forward with proposals to ensure the adequacy of the consumer-related legislation framework in the digital sphere, including possible abuses; notes that the sharing economy presents a great potential to foster economic growth and create a more inclusive job market and urges all Member States to analyse national legislation in order to eliminate artificial barriers hindering its development;
Amendment 908 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Notes in particular the benefits of the digital transformation for increasing accessibility to affordable financial services for consumers and the contributions that this brings to access to capital for entrepreneurs and thus to further economic activity and growth; recognises that consumers are embracing new models for payment services including both bank and non-bank related services;
Amendment 918 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Stresses the need for Governments, law enforcement authorities and the IT companies in the private sector to work together in order to address the need of removing illegal content, including the protection of children online; within existing legal framework whilst respecting fundamental rights and the rule of law;
Amendment 922 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers, in order to ensure trust in digital services, that increased resources from the public and private sector are required toshould work together strengthen the security of IT systems and online networks and, the encryption of communication, to improve cyber-attacks prevention and to increase knowledge ofver basic security processes among users of digital services;
Amendment 937 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
Paragraph 26 c (new)
Amendment 946 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 e (new)
Paragraph 26 e (new)
26e. Acknowledges the ongoing concern of EU consumers about their privacy and the use of personal data, and the need to better outline the legal framework regarding an individual's right to exercise control over their own personal data; notes the importance of ensuring that data subjects are fully informed with accessible and clear information regarding the rights, rules and redress available to them with regard to the use of their data, stresses the need to raise awareness with the public on issues of data protection;
Amendment 968 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 d (new)
Paragraph 26 d (new)
26d. Calls for the swift conclusion of the new Safe Harbour Agreement and the EU-US data protection Umbrella Agreement; Stresses that a workable and reliable framework for adequacy decisions, which is compatible with the EU data protection principles is important for both businesses and consumers;
Amendment 972 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Emphasises that actions taken by the Commission should be conformity with the legal competences of the EU, and respect the rights of Member States with regard to ensuring national security, and maintaining public security;