Pratiques du marché et droit de la consommation - Sélection de législations récentes

Short Reads - The ACM worries that the use of algorithms may lead to the creation of cartels, or nudge consumers towards a purchasing decision that is not in their best interest. Therefore, on 10 December 2020, it published a new policy document (in Dutch) setting out what businesses can expect when the ACM checks their algorithms. On the same day, the ACM also launched a trial with online music library Muziekweb to improve the ACM’s knowledge about the categories of data that are likely to be relevant in such investigations. All signs indicate the ACM’s intention to become more active in this area.

Short Reads - Consumers often rely on online reviews to decide what bike to buy, where to eat or what article to read. But what if those reviews are fake? New Dutch rules were announced on 23 October 2020 seeking to ensure a higher level of consumer protection online. These rules mean more obligations for online traders, and potentially high fines if they get it wrong. For example, traders should implement procedures to ensure that published reviews originate from consumers who have genuinely used the product.

Seminar - The Stibbe Annual Competition Update will take place online on 28 January 2021.

Articles - Doorheen de jaren is er al veel inkt gevloeid over de wettigheid van de sperperioderegeling (verbod op prijsverminderingen tijdens de sperperiode) in het licht van Richtlijn 2005/29/EG1  (“Richtlijn oneerlijke marktpraktijken”)2 in de zaak Inno/Unizo. Het arrest van 3 februari 2020 van het Hof van Beroep te Gent lijkt hier een definitief einde aan te maken.3