Consumer Protection and the Digital Economy : A Research Companion

This book examines the effects of digitalisation on consumers and markets, and whether consumer law rules are fit for purpose.

Examining existing consumer law as it interconnects with the related spheres of competition law, intellectual property law, human rights law and dispute resolution regimes, it considers the future of rule and regime building for consumer protection in the face of digital disruption. Offering new perspectives on recent legal developments for consumers, this book examines how general consumer protection principles deal with emergent issues such as the regulation of cryptocurrencies, online auctions, artificial intelligence, intellectual property and digital content services. It highlights issues of cross-border choice of law and enforcement issues for consumer protection as it relates to digital disruption. Exploring the consumer law and policy of the EU and closely related jurisdictions, this volume offers insights that could help inform debates and build rules and regimes for consumer protection.

The book will be of interest to postgraduate students, academics and policymakers, given the worldwide challenges presented by digital disruption to consumer protection.

Christopher Willett is Professor in Commercial Law. For 30 years he has taught, researched, published and advised in the areas of UK, EU and global consumer and contract law. He regularly conducts studies and research reports and advises on law reform for the UK government, the EU and other bodies.

Elisabetta Bergamini is Full Professor at the University of Udine. She teaches European Union law, international private law and international law at the University of Udine and has been awarded various Jean Monnet Modules. She has been coordinating an International Summer School on consumer protection since 2008 at the University of Udine with the involvement of different foreign universities.