The Consumer Council meeting in Brussels last week adopted a resolution which recognises consumer concern over the development of the information society, and has called on the EC to ensure that consumers’ interests are fully taken into account in all current and future legislative proposals. Notably the Council drew attention to the need for measures… Continue reading EU: Country of origin in e-commerce
EU member states look set to derail the European Commission’s proposals for rules to govern the sale of financial services via telephone, direct mail or the Internet. The proposed law, which would give consumers throughout the EU 14 days to withdraw from contracts without any penalty, limit unsolicited sales and establish redress procedures for disputes… Continue reading EU: Distance Selling plan faces opposition
The European Directive on the protection of private data entered into force on 25 October. The directive (95/46/EC) establishes a high-level of protection for the treatment of personal data in the EU and has led to disputes with the United States. Implementation of the directive is not yet guaranteed throughout the EU however. Several MS… Continue reading EU: Data Protection Directive
The Belgian Prime Minister is considering relaxing a proposed law which would ban all tobacco advertising and sponsorship in Belgium as from 1 January 1999. He is currently having discussions with the Flemish Socialist Party on the subject.
Sweden, Finland, Denmark and the United Kingdom are pressing the EC to scale down trademark restrictions on branded goods imported into the EU. They claim this hinders free trade and harms consumers. The EC is waiting for the publication of a study into the economic impact of parallel imports, early next year. This followed an… Continue reading EU: Restrictions on branded goods
The EP’s call for proposals for a Europe-wide code to govern media ownership, has received a mixed response. The Association of Commercial Television (ACT) said that MEP’s demands came as no surprise, but “the debate has moved on. We are now in a digital age.” The European Newspaper Publishers Association (ENPA) welcomed the debate as… Continue reading EU: Media Ownership proposals
Digital television now has 97% awareness, and 18% of respondents intend to switch to digital television within the next year, says the latest report from CIA Sensor. However, although advertising for digital television is generating a climate of awareness, many people have yet to understand the full implications of the development and its proposed benefits.Last… Continue reading ‘Digital Television Awareness Is Vague’ Says CIA
The closure of The European is imminent as the title has failed to find a buyer. The paper announced in late September that it would fold if a buyer were not found within 30 days (see Newsline), and a spokesperson told Newsline this morning that the shut-down will go ahead.The final edition of The European… Continue reading The European’s Time Is Up
Bath-based Future Publishing has launched a new computing title this month called Arcade. The magazine will take a populist look at computer and video games across all formats.Future also publishes PC Gamer, .net and N64 Magazine.Future Publishing: 01225 442 244
The Observer is introducing three new sections, starting from 3 January 1999.The first will be a travel and leisure pursuits magazine, the second will focus on film and television. Lastly will be a section dealing with personal finance, which will have 24 pages.Stephen Palmer, marketing director at Guardian Newspapers, said: “Under Roger Alton The Observer… Continue reading The Observer Creates New Sections
