• Mehr als 3 Millionen Wörter Inhalt
  • |
  • info@itmedialaw.com
  • |
  • Tel: 03322 5078053
Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

No products in the cart.

  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Kurzberatung
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

Consumer protection and computer games in Italy

27. September 2019
in Law and computer games
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
0
agcm5

The following article was originally written by Andrea Rizzi from www.insightlegal.it and is published here in German and in an adapted version by arrangement. The Italian Antitrust and Consumer Authority (AGCM) has recently dealt with consumer protection in the video game industry. With the appointment of a new AGCM commissioner (i.e. one of the three officials who effectively manage the authority) in 2014, i.e. former IP judge Gabriella Muscolo, the AGCM’s awareness of the video game industry has increased significantly and gradually and the Authority to implement a number of enforcement measures under the Italian Consumer Code. The cases dealt with by AGCM involving players in the video game industry are still only a few, but cover a fairly wide range of aspects, from unfair commercial practices to unfair clauses in EULA/ToS agreements. between business and consumers. AgCM’s decisions to date are important because they provide a – often very clear , indication of what AGCM’s approach and expectations are with regard to the issues dealt with in its decisions. For example, the agency is currently reviewing loot boxes and new monetization models, but there is no publicly available information or records of this process. So far, there has only been one AGCM decision that deals specifically with in-game microtransactions. The case concerned the Gameloft game “Littlest Pet Shop” in the app stores of Google, Apple and Amazon. Specifically, the AGCM enforcement procedure ended with AGCM accepting the commitments offered by all parties, which, among other things, resulted in (i) the term “free” was not used in connection with games that made in-app purchases available; (ii) avoid direct advertising to children who encourage them to make in-game purchases; (iii) multiple purchases with the same password entry are not allowed; (iv) more information about the monetization models provided in connection with this video game and any other video game developed or distributed with the same age rating (PEGI 3). Another decision was made in August 2017 on Pokémon GO and the use of unfair terms. The case was launched after a report by a consumer watchdog on unfair terms was published. In particular, the Authority considered that a number of terms contained in the EULA were in breach of the Italian Consumer Code, including: (i) the general limitations of liability and exclusions of warranty; (ii) Niantic’s right to interrupt or discontinue its services at its sole and complete discretion, and (iii) the arbitration clause. AGCM found that these clauses were indeed unfair and ordered that the relevant clauses be amended as agreed to ensure compliance with the Consumer Code and that AGCM’s decision on the unfair Character of some of Niantic’s EULA terms should be published on the Pokémon GO homepage for 30 consecutive days. However, no fine was imposed, as a similar infringement is not punishable by direct fines under the Italian Consumer Code, but only infringements of the authority’s order to change the conditions could trigger sanctions. Finally, in September and November last year, there was a decision on Xbox Live Gold and Sony Playstation Plus, also because of the use of unfair business practices. AGCM issued two decisions involving Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment and found that the information provided to consumers prior to the purchase of a game (both online and on-back-of-box products) was Request for a paid subscription service (i.e. Xbox Live Gold and Sony Playstation Plus) so that the player can play the online component of video games was insufficient under Italian consumer law. While the proceedings against Microsoft ended without a fine and AGCM accepted the commitments offered by Microsoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment was not prepared to accept AGCM’s arguments or make commitments that were acceptable to AGCM, and the proceedings ended with the a fine of 2 million euros against Sony.

Marian Härtel
Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.

Tags: AmazonComputerComputer gameConsumerConsumer protectionEntscheidungenGamesGoogleHaftungInformationKIModelSanctionservice

Weitere spannende Blogposts

YouTube is only liable under Art. 6 DSA if the infringement is reported with sufficient specificity

YouTube: What to do about copyright extortion?
26. August 2024

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is an EU law that aims to control and restrict the distribution of illegal content...

Read moreDetails

Artificial Intelligence and Copyright: A Statement by the German Council for Cultural Affairs

Artificial Intelligence and Copyright: A Statement by the German Council for Cultural Affairs
22. June 2023

The German Cultural Council is the umbrella organization of the federal cultural associations in Germany. It represents the interests of...

Read moreDetails

File sharing and instruction by parents

File sharing and instruction by parents
7. November 2022

An interesting, but in this respect, based on the case law of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), consistent ruling...

Read moreDetails

GeschGehG: Do NDAs need to be revised?

7. November 2022

The Act on the Protection of Trade Secrets has been in force since last year. Now the question arises: Does...

Read moreDetails

Separate prosecution of UWG claims not necessarily abused

Separate prosecution of UWG claims not necessarily abused
25. April 2019

I was just writing another post on costs in court proceedings when I learned of another BGH ruling on questions...

Read moreDetails

NFT and esports: an additional income opportunity or high legal hurdles?

What is “digital property” and how can I benefit from it?
16. May 2023

Introduction to NFTs and Digital Assets Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are an emerging area of digital assets based on blockchain technology....

Read moreDetails

Designation as “Gollum” is an insult

New info on the status of the State Media Treaty
28. November 2022

As a self-confessed "Lord of the Rings" fan, I simply had to post a blog article on a recent decision...

Read moreDetails

Warranty and indication of liability for defects

Online retailer: Notice of warranty of defects
3. April 2019

As I often write, the establishment of an online service or an online shop is currently riddled with so many...

Read moreDetails

ECJ to decide whether consumer protection agencies may issue data protection warnings

ECJ to decide whether consumer protection agencies may issue data protection warnings
7. November 2022

The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) currently has to decide whether a breach by the operator of a social network...

Read moreDetails
Startup ohne Entwickler?
Gloss / Opinion

Startup ohne Entwickler?

8. July 2025

Es ist spätabends, der Kaffee neben dem Laptop ist längst kalt, doch ich lächle zufrieden: In wenigen Stunden habe ich...

Read moreDetails
Keine stillschweigende AGB-Änderung – Schweigen gilt nicht als Zustimnung

Keine stillschweigende AGB-Änderung – Schweigen gilt nicht als Zustimnung

7. July 2025
So langsam nimmt der Shop Form an

So langsam nimmt der Shop Form an

3. July 2025
Dark Patterns: UX-Tricks im Visier von Gesetzgeber und Gerichten

Dark Patterns: UX-Tricks im Visier von Gesetzgeber und Gerichten

2. July 2025
Altersverifikation im Internet: Pflichten für Anbieter in Deutschland und Europa

Altersverifikation im Internet: Pflichten für Anbieter in Deutschland und Europa

30. June 2025

Podcastfolge

Rechtskette beim Spieleentwickler

Rechtskette beim Spieleentwickler

19. April 2025

In dieser kurzen Episode diskutieren Anna und Max die Bedeutung der Rechtekette im Game Development – ein zentraler Aspekt für...

Read moreDetails
Leben als IT-Anwalt, Work-Life Balance, Familie und meine Karriere

Leben als IT-Anwalt, Work-Life Balance, Familie und meine Karriere

25. September 2024
“Digitales Recht Entschlüsselt” mit Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel

“Digitales Recht Entschlüsselt” mit Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel

25. September 2024
Digitale Souveränität: Europas Weg in eine selbstbestimmte digitale Zukunft

Digitale Souveränität: Europas Weg in eine selbstbestimmte digitale Zukunft

12. November 2024
Rechtliche Herausforderungen innovativer Geschäftsmodelle

Rechtliche Herausforderungen innovativer Geschäftsmodelle

26. September 2024

Video

Mein transparente Abrechnung

Mein transparente Abrechnung

10. February 2025

In diesem Video rede ich ein wenig über transparente Abrechnung und wie ich kommuniziere, was es kostet, wenn man mit...

Read moreDetails
Faszination zwischen und Recht und Technologie

Faszination zwischen und Recht und Technologie

10. February 2025
Meine zwei größten Herausforderungen sind?

Meine zwei größten Herausforderungen sind?

10. February 2025
Was mich wirklich freut

Was mich wirklich freut

10. February 2025
Was ich an meinem Job liebe!

Was ich an meinem Job liebe!

10. February 2025
  • Privacy policy
  • Imprint
  • Contact
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
Marian Härtel, Rathenaustr. 58a, 14612 Falkensee, info@itmedialaw.com

Marian Härtel - Rechtsanwalt für IT-Recht, Medienrecht und Startups, mit einem Fokus auf innovative Geschäftsmodelle, Games, KI und Finanzierungsberatung.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
Kostenlose Kurzberatung