„Bring Online Inline“ Kostas & Agustin 14 November 2013

Background Consumers seeking to buy digital content products online are not treated on level footing with consumers of equivalent analogue products Consumers face discrimination in terms of: – Access – Use – Legal Protection

Overall goal - Equivalent consumer protection should apply no matter whether products are bought off- or on- linen and whether they are supplied in physical or digital format -

Objectives Consumers have access to diverse digital content irrespective of nationality or place of residence Consumers enjoy content on the device of their choice, at a time and a place of their choice Consumers benefit from effective remedies in case of problems with digital content products

BEUC work programme The flagship reflects our priorities on – Digital rights – Consumer rights …also in line with the BEUC 2020 vision paper

Strategy Legislative Revision of the 2001 Information Society Directive (A 5.1) Revision of the 1999 Consumer Sales Directive No legislative Guidance on Services Directive – Article 20.2 Awareness raising Work with content and service providers Research needed: assessment of current business models National level

Communication tools – Issue’s success relies, at essence, on on/offline comparisons. – Tools for members supplementing conventional press action to have 3 levels of detail: Concise: Gimmick for MEPs – e.g. a Mock iPad and CD with different rights Press releases Factsheet Medium: High-profile Example List Members’ Media kit: Messaging Advice; Facts & Figures; Stock phrases Brochure in a range of languages – Thorough: EU press conference (simultaneous national?) Dedicated, simple mini-website clearly listing comparisons, allowing user contributions Coordinated push for a European Citizens’ Initiative Academic study or related materials

Timeline Research: ASAP EU institutional timeline – New European Commission – New European Parliament

Thank you