Bull warns against international e-commerce regulation
Published: 06 Oct 1999 14:27 BST
Traditional attempts to regulate the Internet will fail, according to a report today from IT group Bull.
The report -- Global Regulation of E-commerce -- warns that international regulatory bodies can not adapt quickly enough to respond to the fast moving requirements of e-commerce. It acknowledges that individual governments' jurisdiction over tax, data protection and consumer rights are being eroded by the Internet, and calls for a separate international body to be set up to deal specifically with the issues facing e-traders.
The United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and the European Commission are all currently involved in drawing up regulations for e-commerce. One of the most worrying factors affecting e-commerce firms is recent draft legislation from the EC which could require e-traders to comply with the national laws of all 15 member states in litigation cases. Campaigners say this could seriously hinder electronic commerce and lead to a trade dispute with the US.
Stephen Meyler, director of marketing at Bull believes it is up to business to set the rules: "International bodies cannot afford to get caught in lengthy legislative cycles. Businesses have set the pace, and it is clear that a new fast-moving approach is needed to react to the overnight changes which continuously take place in the e-commerce realm," he said.
- 88 percent of IT lawyers surveyed for the report said they had no confidence in the ability of current international regulatory bodies to respond adequately to the challenges of online trade.
What is your opinion on the red-taping of electronic commerce? Tell the Mailroom
Did you find this article useful?
49 out of 118 people found this useful
Digg
Slashdot
Del.ici.ous
Stumble
Reddit
