E * U!

[xoggoth]

Just maybe, if they do implement something, they will be sensible enough (a UK law wouldn't) to apply it to high priced or large volume apps not obscure things costing a couple of quid.

[Mich the Tester]

Just maybe, if they do implement something, they will be sensible enough (a UK law wouldn't) to apply it to high priced or large volume apps not obscure things costing a couple of quid.

Difficult to defend the EU when they come out with this kind of madness.

[SandyD]

WTF business is it of any government to dictate how private companies choose to sell their apps, as long as the things do what they claim?

You mean like selling us horse meat that is not fit for humans and packaging it as beef?

[doodab]

But it's not the EU calling for it, it's a couple of Germans, in Germany, and their point is that app stores, not the people who make apps, are avoiding existing EU consumer protection legislation, namely the rather sensible rules that give you a period to return something bought online or mail order.

Most of these "barmy EU rules" you see in the paper are actually suggestions put forwards by crackpots that never actually see the light of day. I'm sure there are plenty of madcap motions tabled in our own houses of parliament as well.

[xoggoth]

But it's not the EU calling for it, it's a couple of Germans, in Germany,

You don't appear to have read my thread or the link too well. I did say it was Germans and the EU was only looking into it.

This staggering increase in the number of apps that are downloaded, and an increase in ecommerce overall, may be something to cheer in the tech sector, but it is causing some concern among lawmakers in the EU.

A study conducted for the EU Commission suggests Europeans are losing 64 billion euros (82 billion dollars) a year due to a lack of clear consumer protection regulation for online products like apps, software and music.

If EU lawmakers are concerned and they have commissioned a study, that is a bit more than suggestions from crackpots

[VectraMan]

But it's not the EU calling for it, it's a couple of Germans, in Germany, and their point is that app stores, not the people who make apps, are avoiding existing EU consumer protection legislation, namely the rather sensible rules that give you a period to return something bought online or mail order.

Exactly. Is protecting consumers EU interference? Most would say government should be doing this sort of thing; it's only because it comes from the EU and not our own government that people get all upset.

The olive oil thing sounds a little crazy though. But so what? It means that you'll have a branded bottle of olive oil on your table instead of an unbranded one. Civilisation will not crumble.

[doodab]

I will continue to vote with my feet. Aside from one "official" app that cost 60p I don't even consider buying apps that don't have a try before buy mode or cut down free version to try anyway, so it will make no difference to me.

[doodab]

And here is another report showing some concern at the inadequacy of current consumer protection law as well:

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...l-products.pdf

We should demand independence now and repatriate powers from those meddlesome ****ers in Westminster back to the town hall where they belong!

[xoggoth]

And here is another report showing some concern at the inadequacy of current consumer protection law as well

I've changed my mind. Given a choice between a law enacted by the UK government and one enacted by the EU I will choose the 2nd any day, it's bound to be more sensible. I am voting yes.

[NickFitz]

It seems virtually every food pub serves bread and a little dipping bowl of olive oil these days.

Surely for the Greeks this would be like a rule in the UK that beer can only be served in pre-sealed containers, not poured into pint glasses...

So they have the labelled, non-refillable bottle of olive oil and they pour it into the dipping bowl in front of you. Job done.

The policy does sound pretty stupid to me, but that stuff about dipping bowls was just made up by a journalist.

Here's the official video of the Q&A session at the press announcement about it: EC Audiovisual Service - Video