• Areas of expertise
  • |
  • About me
  • |
  • Principles as a lawyer
  • Tel: 03322 5078053
  • |
  • info@itmedialaw.com
ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Ideal partner
      • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Video series – about me
      • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
      • Principles as a lawyer
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Nerd und Rechtsanwalt
      • Ideal partner
      • How can I help clients?
    • Über die Kanzlei
      • How clients benefit from my network of colleagues, partners and service providers
      • Quick and flexible access
      • Agile and lean law firm
      • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
      • Price overview
    • How can I help clients?
    • Sonstige Informationen
      • Einwilligungen widerrufen
      • Privatsphäre-Einstellungen ändern
      • Historie der Privatsphäre-Einstellungen
      • Privacy policy
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Leistungen
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Support with the foundation
      • Games law consulting
      • Advice in e-commerce
      • Support and advice of agencies
      • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
      • Legal compliance and expert opinions
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Arbeitsschwerpunkte
      • Games and esports law
        • Esports. What is it?
      • Corporate law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Consulting for influencers and streamers
        • Influencer & Streamer
      • Contract review and preparation
      • DLT and Blockchain consulting
        • Blockchain Overview
      • Investment advice
      • AI and SaaS
  • Artikel/News
    • Langartikel / Guides
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Law on the Internet
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Online retail
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Labour law
    • Tax
    • Kanzlei News
    • Other
  • Videos/Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Kurz-Podcast
  • Knowledge base
  • Contact
Kurzberatung
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Ideal partner
      • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Video series – about me
      • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
      • Principles as a lawyer
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Nerd und Rechtsanwalt
      • Ideal partner
      • How can I help clients?
    • Über die Kanzlei
      • How clients benefit from my network of colleagues, partners and service providers
      • Quick and flexible access
      • Agile and lean law firm
      • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
      • Price overview
    • How can I help clients?
    • Sonstige Informationen
      • Einwilligungen widerrufen
      • Privatsphäre-Einstellungen ändern
      • Historie der Privatsphäre-Einstellungen
      • Privacy policy
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Leistungen
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Support with the foundation
      • Games law consulting
      • Advice in e-commerce
      • Support and advice of agencies
      • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
      • Legal compliance and expert opinions
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Arbeitsschwerpunkte
      • Games and esports law
        • Esports. What is it?
      • Corporate law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Consulting for influencers and streamers
        • Influencer & Streamer
      • Contract review and preparation
      • DLT and Blockchain consulting
        • Blockchain Overview
      • Investment advice
      • AI and SaaS
  • Artikel/News
    • Langartikel / Guides
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Law on the Internet
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Online retail
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Labour law
    • Tax
    • Kanzlei News
    • Other
  • Videos/Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Kurz-Podcast
  • Knowledge base
  • Contact
ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel
Home Competition law

Geoblocking Ordinance: Attention Warning Trap

3. December 2018
in Competition law, Law on the Internet, Online retail
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0 0
A A
0
forbidden 155564 1280

Complex Themam but relevant for game developers and many more

Content Hide
1. Complex Themam but relevant for game developers and many more
2. Geoblocking Regulation
3. It is forbidden?…
4. Except for?
5. Who does the regulation apply to?
6. Apps?
7. And otherwise?
8. What needs to be checked?
9. Any questions?

The topic of geoblocking can be very complex in detail and may affect operators such as esports teams, game providers, streamers, influencers, hosting providers, app operators and many more, in addition to online shops. There is also an interface with issues of right of withdrawal, payment services and numerous other legal issues.

I would be happy to answer any questions or for a consultation. But now to the subject!

Geoblocking Regulation

Attention. Since yesterday, another potential warning trap has opened up for operators of online shops and similar media. The EU Geoblocking Regulation.

Regulation (EU) 2018/302 aims to end unjustified discrimination in online purchases based on nationality, place of residence or place of establishment within the internal market. The ban on geo-blocking is an important part of the Digital Single Market strategy.

Although the regulation entered into force in all EU Member States on 23 March 2018, it has only been in force since yesterday.

It amends Regulations (EC) 2006/2004 and (EU) 2017/2394 and Directive 2009/22/EC.

Within two years of the entry into force of the new rules, the Commission will assess for the first time how they affect the internal market, in particular certain electronic services that contain copyrighted content such as music, e-books, software and online games, as well as services in the fields of transport and audio-visual.

The behavior prohibited by the regulation is almost certainly to be regarded as noticeable within the meaning of the UWG and as a rule of market conduct and can therefore be warned by competitors.

It is forbidden?…

What is now forbidden

  • Blocking or restricting the access of customers of another Member State to their own on grounds of nationality, residence or place of establishment of the potential customer
  • The transfer of a customer from another Member State to a specific country version on grounds of nationality, residence or place of establishment of the customer, unless the transfer has been expressly agreed.
  • The benefits of different sales conditions from the EU
  • The benefits of different payment terms.

Except for?

The Regulation does not apply to health services, other social services, financial services and the sale of passenger transport services such as airline tickets, bus tickets, train tickets, etc., but to car rental companies and the like!

The regulation also applies to electronically provided services, unless it concerns the sale of copyrighted items as downloads, such as music, films, e-books or even computer games.

The latter may be questionable, what exactly is with browser games and mobile games, which are offered in advance free of charge, which are protected by copyright, but which do not have to be downloaded afterwards.

There is an exception – still – for video, music and audiobook streaming, but here things are also downloaded.

In the case of pure services, and editorial content, and the like, the exception is unlikely to apply, especially as it is already a very controversial exception and is under special review.

The Regulation also applies without conditions to all other electronic services such as cloud services, hosting, SaaS services of all kinds, domains, search services, referral services, hotel bookings, travel agencies, tickets and what you can think of.

Who does the regulation apply to?

The regulation also applies to companies and platforms outside the EU, otherwise doing business with EU citizens. In this respect, retailers should also pay attention, for example, when using Alibaba and the like, as well as the drop-shipping business.

Private individuals on eBay etc., irrespective of the fact that they are not addressees of the UWG, do not have to worry here either, because the regulation only applies to persons acting commercially. But beware: sometimes you can find yourself acting commercially sooner than you think. This can also apply to the sale of merchandising for your own esports team or the offering of competitions and other goodies as an influencer . This is particularly true because there is an exception for small entrepreneurs, i.e. those who make less than 17,500 euros in turnover per year. However, this exception only applies if you do NOT sell goods, but only offer digital services.

Apps?

As a lawyer for IT law, I represent numerous clients in the field of computer games and apps, and therefore the answer for them is that yes, the regulation also applies to apps. These must, in principle, be made available for use by everyone in Europe. But before the big scare begins: The apps do NOT have to be adapted or even translated for every country.

And otherwise?

European regulations would not make sense if it had not included many other exceptions and exceptions to exceptions and the like. For example, no one has to break national laws when they offer services or goods to all people in Europe. This may be relevant, for example, in the case of questions relating to the protection of minors in the case of computer games.

National law also continues to apply, e.g. for questions of product safety, standard and the like. The aim is to unify the internal market, but not to force suppliers to offer goods in all countries. Therefore, no one is forced to offer their website in all languages or even to adapt terms and conditions for all countries (at least not due to the geo-blocking regulation…). On the contrary, different TERMS and conditions may even be used per country if this is not even necessary for other legal reasons. But that is another legal issue. Likewise, mail order companies can breathe a sigh of relief with regard to shipping costs. While in the future (as in the case of national law) it will be forbidden to charge payment methods, deliveries to other EU countries may have different fees than in the home country. For example, if you offer free shipping in Germany, the dealer does not have to offer this for Spain. However, the fees must again be the same for all EU countries. Exceptions probably apply only to means of payment which do not fall under Section 270a of the German Civil Code (BGB), but this includes, for example, PayPal, due to the reference from sentence 2.

Even smaller retailers can breathe a sigh of relief. Unless they want to, they are now not obliged to suddenly offer Europe-wide shipping if they did not do so before. The prohibition of discrimination applies only in its own supply area, but in accordance with all the above conditions. But beware: Once a delivery area – if only theoretically – expanded, it should also apply to future customers. So here we come to a check of the shop, as mentioned in the next section.

What needs to be checked?

Providers of online shops and other operators of digital services who have not been able to obtain exceptions should check not only operational procedures, in particular the software that is used. Quickly to obvious warnings could lead to redirects based on the IP address, which is often integrated into online shop software by default. The same applies, for example, to national interfaces of scripts or login masks. For example, a registration mask that allows only German telephone numbers, only German Federal Ländlers to choose from and the like, should be quickly noticed and foreboding by a competitor. The exact function of the software would also have to be controlled. Thus, the regulation applies only to the same shop. It is not forbidden to operate several shops in several countries and to offer different prices and conditions there. However, these individual shops must not be blocked for other EU citizens (e.g. because they appear as comparisons in price search engines, etc.) and in the event that, for example, the shop offers a product in Austria at a lower price, this must also apply if a user from Austria Germany there.

Any questions?

Any more questions? Although much remains unclear and it remains to be seen whether a wave of warnings will really roll out after the GDPR amendment, the chances here are very great. In addition, there are many other variations and questions to be clarified if you want to be on the safe side as an operator. A review or consultation is strongly recommended. Just contact me for further questions!

Tags: AGBBeratungComputerComputer gamedigitalDomainEBayEsportGame developerGamesInfluencerIP addressIT LawKILawsLegal issuesLegal questionMinorsRegulationSaasSearch engineserviceSicherheitSoftwareUrheberrechtWarning

Beliebte Beträge

Legally compliant contract drafting for software development on no-code platforms

Legally compliant contract drafting for software development on no-code platforms
26. April 2025

No-code and low-code platforms enable start-ups and agencies to develop software and digital products quickly and without in-depth programming knowledge....

Read moreDetails

Automated pricing and dynamic pricing in e-commerce

automatisierte preisgestaltung und dynamic pricing im ee28091commerce 1
2. April 2025

In the digital economy, automated pricing and dynamic pricing strategies are now part of everyday life. Whether for online shopping,...

Read moreDetails

Growth hacking and viral marketing – legal requirements

growth hacking und virales marketing juristische anforderungen 1
1. April 2025

Growth hacking and viral marketing promise start-ups rapid growth and a wide reach with a low budget. In the digital...

Read moreDetails

Liability of website operators for user comments – When and how operators are responsible for their users’ content

Creating contracts with face models and voice models: A guide for the gaming industry
15. March 2025

Introduction The responsibility of website operators for user-generated content has become much more important in recent years, both in case...

Read moreDetails

AI editing of OnlyFans content & Instagram campaigns: Important legal tips!

ai generated g63ed67bf8 1280
23. February 2025

Copyright and original material Copyright regulations protect the intellectual property of those who create photo and video material. The OnlyFans...

Read moreDetails

Digitalization and contract law: Electronic signature in accordance with the eIDAS Regulation

Digitalization and contract law: Electronic signature in accordance with the eIDAS Regulation
3. March 2025

Introduction: Digitalization and modern contract law Advancing digitalization is changing all business processes, especially in the area of contract design....

Read moreDetails

Liability under Art. 82 GDPR for sending forged invoices!

Liability under Art. 82 GDPR for sending forged invoices!
17. February 2025

Recently, I have been able to successfully represent my clients in several similar cases that were affected by security breaches...

Read moreDetails

Right of reply on social media: Differences and comparison to press law

Right of reply on social media: Differences and comparison to press law
11. February 2025

The right of reply is a key instrument in the German legal system that enables those affected to respond to...

Read moreDetails

Cancellation buttons in focus: a recent ruling and its impact on online retail

abmahnung
8. February 2025

I have already reported several times on the requirements for unsubscribe buttons. This topic is particularly important for SaaS providers...

Read moreDetails

5.0 60 reviews

  • Avatar Mikael Hällgren ★★★★★ vor einem Monat
    I got fantastic support from Marian Härtel. He managed to get my wrongfully suspended Instagram account restored. He was … Mehr incredibly helpful the whole way until the positive outcome. Highly recommended!
  • Avatar Lennart Korte ★★★★★ vor 2 Monaten
    Ich kann Herrn Härtel als Anwalt absolut weiterempfehlen! Sein Service ist erstklassig – schnelle Antwortzeiten, effiziente … Mehr Arbeit und dabei sehr kostengünstig, was für Startups besonders wichtig ist. Er hat für mein Startup einen Vertrag erstellt, und ich bin von seiner professionellen und zuverlässigen Arbeit überzeugt. Klare Empfehlung!
  • Avatar R.H. ★★★★★ vor 3 Monaten
    Ich kann Hr. Härtel nur empfehlen! Er hat mich bei einem Betrugsversuch einer Krypto Börse rechtlich vertreten. Ich bin sehr … Mehr zufrieden mit seiner engagierten Arbeit gewesen. Ich wurde von Anfang an kompetent, fair und absolut transparent beraten. Trotz eines zähen Verfahrens und einer großen Börse als Gegner, habe ich mich immer sicher und zuversichtlich gefühlt. Auch die Schnelligkeit und die sehr gute Erreichbarkeit möchte ich an der Stelle hoch loben und nochmal meinen herzlichsten Dank aussprechen! Daumen hoch mit 10 Sternen!
  • Avatar P! Galerie ★★★★★ vor 4 Monaten
    Herr Härtel hat uns äusserst kompetent in einen lästigen Fall mit META betreut. Er war effizient, beharrlich, aber auch mit … Mehr uns geduldig. Menschlich top, bis wir am Ende Dank ihm erfolgreich zum Ziel gekommen sind. Können wir wärmstens empfehlen. Und nochmals danke. P.H.
  • Avatar Mosaic Mask Studio ★★★★★ vor 5 Monaten
    Die Kanzlei ist immer ein verlässlicher Partner bei der Sichtung und Bearbeitung von Verträgen in der IT Branche. Es ist … Mehr stets ein professioneller Austausch auf Augenhöhe.
    Die Ergebnisse sind auf hohem Niveau und haben die interessen unsers Unternehmens immer bestmöglich wiedergespiegelt.
    Vielen Dank für die sehr gute Zusammenarbeit.
  • Avatar Philip Lucas ★★★★★ vor 8 Monaten
    Wir haben Herrn Härtel für unser Unternehmen konsultiert und sind äußerst zufrieden mit seiner Arbeit. Von Anfang an hat … Mehr er einen überaus kompetenten Eindruck gemacht und sich als ein sehr angenehmer Gesprächspartner erwiesen. Seine fachliche Expertise und seine verständliche und zugängliche Art im Umgang mit komplexen Themen haben uns überzeugt. Wir freuen uns auf eine langfristige und erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit!
  • Avatar Doris H. ★★★★★ vor 10 Monaten
    Herr Härtel hat uns bezüglich eines Telefonvertrags beraten und vertreten. Wir waren mit seinem Service sehr zufrieden. Er … Mehr hat stets schnell auf unsere E-mails und Anrufe reagiert und den Sachverhalt einfach und verständlich erklärt. Wir würden Herrn Härtel jederzeit wieder beauftragen.Vielen Dank für die hervorragende Unterstützung
  • Avatar Philipp Skaar ★★★★★ vor 8 Monaten
    Als kleines inhabergeführtes Hotel sehen wir uns ab und dann (bei sonst weit über dem Durchschnitt liegenden Bewertungen) … Mehr der Herausforderung von aus der Anonymität heraus agierenden "Netz-Querulanten" gegenüber gestellt. Herr Härtel versteht es außerordentlich spür- und feinsinnig, derartige - oftmals auf Rufschädigung ausgerichtete - Bewertungen bereits im Keim, also außergerichtlich, zu ersticken und somit unseren Betrieb vor weiteren Folgeschäden zu bewahren. Seine Umsetzungsgeschwindigkeit ist beeindruckend, seine bisherige Erfolgsquote = 100%.Ergo: Unsere erste Adresse zur Abwehr von geschäftsschädigenden Angriffen aus dem Web.
  • ●
  • ●
  • ●
  • ●

Video-Galerie

The everyday life of an IT lawyer - presented by my AI avatar
The everyday life of an IT lawyer – presented by my AI avatar
AI and contract drafting: legal challenges and solutions
AI and contract drafting: legal challenges and solutions
Dual representation at influencer agencies: can it affect you?
Dual representation at influencer agencies: can it affect you?
Early first date

Early first date

30. June 2023

The term "early first date" is significant in German civil procedure law. In this article, we will take an in-depth...

Read moreDetails
The impact of the rulings of the OLG Celle and the LG Hannover on online coaching services

Prospectus Regulation (EU)

10. November 2024
15a709c0 6010 4f76 ac22 64fa52191622 204239877

Arrest

29. March 2025
Disturbing liability

Disturbing liability

27. June 2023
Post-money valuation

Post-money valuation

16. October 2024

Podcast Folgen

86fe194b0c4a43e7aef2a4773b88c2c4

On the dark side? A lawyer in the field of tension of innovative start-ups

26. September 2024

In this personal and engaging episode, the experienced IT and media lawyer delves deep into the gray area of his...

4f3597d5481e0f38e37bf80eaad208c7

The IT Media Law Podcast. Episode No. 1: What is this actually about?

26. August 2024

Yeah, the first real episode with myself! In this podcast, we dive into the exciting world of IT law and...

75df8eaa33cd7d3975a96b022c65c6e4

Life as an IT lawyer, work-life balance, family and my career

26. September 2024

In this captivating episode of my IT Medialaw podcast, I, Marian Härtel, share my personal journey as a passionate IT...

d00527fd01b1f807a4f80c0f202069e7

Legal basics for startup founders – how to start on the safe side!

9. November 2024

In this episode of the Itmedialaw podcast, lawyer and entrepreneur Marian Härtel takes you on a journey through the legal...

  • Home
  • Imprint
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • Agile and lean law firm
  • Ideal partner
  • Contact
  • Videos
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?

Retrieve your password

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

Log In
  • Contact
  • Leistungen
    • Support with the foundation
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Games law consulting
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
    • Investment advice
    • Booking as speaker
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Contract review and preparation
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Focus on start-ups
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus on start-ups
    • How can I help clients?
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Videos
    • Video series – about me
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos on services
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Shorts
    • Third-party videos
    • Podcast format
    • Other videos
  • Knowledge base
  • Podcast
  • Blogposts
    • Lange Artikel / Ausführungen
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Labour law
    • EU law
    • Corporate
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • Tax
    • Internally
    • Other
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
Kostenlose Kurzberatung