Press Release: Antitrust: e-commerce sector inquiry finds geo-blocking is widespread throughout EU

The European Commission published on 18 March 2016 initial findings on the prevalence of geo-blocking which prevents consumers from purchasing consumer goods and accessing digital content online in the European Union.

The EC found that geo-blocking was widespread across the EU, partly due to unilateral decisions by companies not to sell abroad but also contractual barriers set up by companies preventing consumers from shopping online across EU borders.

The information was gathered by the EC as part of its ongoing antitrust sector inquiry into the e-commerce sector, launched in May 2015.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/882, 18.03.16: Antitrust: Commission publishes initial findings on geo-blocking from e-commerce sector inquiry - Factsheet http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-882_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Antitrust: Commission launches e-commerce sector inquiry http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-antitrust-commission-launches-e-commerce-sector-inquiry/

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