(Even more) Trending topic: #SharingEconomy

02/06/16

In March we wrote a first post about the hot topic of the sharing economy; now, it’s time to revisit it. Today, the European Commission published (i) its Communication on the collaborative economy and (ii) the external studies DG Growth commissioned for its analysis. Rating Legis’ report is of course there. It’s been a fascinating study to which we’ve given lots of thoughts, and in which we conclude there is still a lot to debate. 🙂

To continue with the discussion, since it is indeed a trending topic, the Competition and Industrial Property Section of the Barcelona Bar Association has taken the initiative to organise a conference on this issue. The idea is discussing the convenience, scope and limits of regulation of these new business models from a European perspective (only one among others; we know).

Since in Brussels the Digital Single Market Agenda is an absolute priority and given that our Competition Authorities are particularly active in this area, the Barcelona Bar Association is an exceptional forum to discuss this subject from a European legal perspective. Participants in the debate will be:

– Marcel Coderch, President of the Catalan Competition Authority (ACCo) with whom we will discuss the ACCo’s document released only a few days ago: “Peer-to-peer transactions (P2P). A step forward.”

– Luis Morcillo, Senior Legal Counsel at AirBNB, who will present the industry perspective on the regulation of this phenomenon.

– Yolanda Martínez, Lawyer, Rating Legis, who will discuss the new European Commission documents concerning the collaborative economy and on-line platforms.

The conference will take place on 13 June 2016, at 19h, at the Barcelona Bar Association. This is the very day (!) of the Single Market Forum closing conference (Amsterdam), the day before the allegations period to the PEUAT ends and the exact same day of the Spanish electoral debate!  May these months have shed some light on any issue? …