REPORT on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content

27.11.2017 - (COM(2015)0634 – C8‑0394/2015 – 2015/0287(COD)) - ***I

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Committee on Legal Affairs
Rapporteurs: Evelyne Gebhardt, Axel Voss
(Joint committee procedure – Rule 55 of the Rules of Procedure)

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content

(COM(2015)0634 – C8‑0394/2015 – 2015/0287(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2015)0634),

–  having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C8‑0394/2015),

–  having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to the reasoned opinion submitted, within the framework of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, by the French Senate, asserting that the draft legislative act does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity,

–  having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 27 April 2016[1],

–  having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the joint deliberations of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection and the Committee on Legal Affairs under Rule 55 of the Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection and the Committee on Legal Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A8-0375/2017),

1.  Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Amendment    1 Proposal for a directive Title 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Proposal for a	Proposal for a
DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL	DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content	on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services
(Text with EEA relevance)	(Text with EEA relevance)
Amendment    2 Proposal for a directive Recital 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(1)  The growth potential of e-commerce has not yet been fully exploited. The Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe29 tackles in a holistic manner the major obstacles to the development of cross-border e-commerce in the Union in order to unleash this potential. Ensuring better access for consumers to digital content and facilitating businesses to supply digital content is necessary to boost the Union’s digital economy and stimulate overall growth.	(1)  The growth potential of e-commerce in the Union has not yet been fully realised. The Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe29 tackles in a holistic manner the major obstacles to the development of cross-border e-commerce in the Union in order to unleash this potential. Ensuring better access for consumers to digital content and facilitating businesses to supply digital content is necessary to boost the Union’s digital economy and stimulate overall growth.
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29 COM (2015) 192 final.	29 COM (2015)0192.
Amendment     3 Proposal for a directive Recital 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(1a)  Article 169(1) and point (a) of Article 169(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provide that the Union is to contribute to the attainment of a high level of consumer protection through measures adopted pursuant to Article 114 TFEU.
Amendment     4 Proposal for a directive Recital 1 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(1b)  Article 38 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (“the Charter”) provides that Union policies are to ensure a high level of consumer protection and Article 47 of the Charter provides that everyone whose rights under Union law are violated is to have the right to an effective remedy. Article 16 of the Charter recognises the freedom to run a business in accordance with Union and national law and practices.
Amendment    5 Proposal for a directive Recital 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(2)  For the achievement of a genuine digital single market, the harmonisation of certain aspects concerning contracts for supply of digital content, taking as a base a high level of consumer protection, is necessary.	(2)  To achieve a genuine digital single market, certain aspects concerning contracts for supply of digital content or digital services should be harmonised, taking as a base a high level of consumer protection, in order to increase legal certainty and to reduce transaction costs.
Amendment    6 Proposal for a directive Recital 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(3)  Differences in national mandatory consumer contract law rules and a lack of clear contract law rules are among the key obstacles which hinder the development of the supply of digital content, as very few tailor-made rules exist at Union level. Businesses face additional costs stemming from differences in national mandatory consumer contract law rules and legal uncertainty when selling digital content across borders. Businesses also face costs when adapting their contracts to specific mandatory rules for the supply of digital content are already emerging in several Member States, creating differences in scope and content between specific national rules governing these contracts. In those Member States where there are not yet specific rules for the supply of digital content, traders willing to sell cross-border face uncertainty, as they will often not know which rules apply to digital content in the Member State they want to export to, nor the content of those rules and whether they are mandatory.	(4)  Businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises ('SMEs'), face costs when adapting their contracts to specific mandatory rules for the supply of digital content or digital services which are already emerging in several Member States, creating differences in scope and content between specific national rules governing these contracts. In those Member States where there are not yet specific rules for the supply of digital content or digital services, traders willing to sell cross-border face uncertainty, as they will often not know which rules apply to digital content or digital services in the Member State they want to export to, nor the content of those rules and whether they are mandatory.
Justification
The order of Recitals 3 and 4 is inversed.
Amendment    7 Proposal for a directive Recital 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(4)  Consumers are not confident when buying cross border and especially online. One of the major factors for this lack of confidence is uncertainty about their key contractual rights and the lack of a clear contractual framework for digital content. Many consumers of digital content experience problems related to the quality of, or access to, digital content. For instance, they receive wrong or faulty digital content, or they are not able to access the digital content in question. As a result, consumers suffer financial and non-financial detriment.	(3)  Consumers are not always confident when buying cross border and especially online. One of the major factors for this lack of confidence is uncertainty about their key contractual rights and the lack of a clear contractual framework for digital content or digital services. Many consumers experience problems related to the quality of, or access to, digital content or digital services. For instance, they receive wrong or faulty digital content or digital services, or they are not able to access the digital content or digital service in question. As a result, consumers suffer financial and non-financial detriment.
Justification
The order of Recitals 3 and 4 is inversed.
Amendment    8 Proposal for a directive Recital 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(5)  In order to remedy these problems, both businesses and consumers should be able to rely on fully harmonised rules for the supply of digital content setting out Union-wide contractual rights which are essential for this type of transactions.	(5)  In order to remedy these problems, both businesses and consumers should be able to rely on fully harmonised rules for some key regulatory aspects of the supply of digital content or digital services. Those rules should set out Union-wide contractual rights, whilst allowing Member States to maintain national rules in relation to certain other aspects. In that regard, the ambition of this Directive is to strike the right balance between a high level of consumer protection and the competitiveness of enterprises, while ensuring respect for the principle of subsidiarity.
Amendment    9 Proposal for a directive Recital 6
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(6)  Fully harmonised consumer contract law rules in all Member States will make it easier for businesses to offer digital content cross-border. They will have a stable contract law environment when selling online and otherwise at a distance to other Member States. Fully harmonised rules specific for digital content throughout the EU will remove the complexity caused by the different national rules that currently apply to contracts for the supply of digital content. They will also prevent legal fragmentation that otherwise would arise from new national legislations regulating specifically digital content.	(6)  Harmonised consumer contract law rules in all Member States will make it easier for businesses to offer digital content cross-border. They will have a stable contract law environment when selling online and otherwise at a distance to other Member States. They will also prevent legal fragmentation that otherwise would arise from new national legislations regulating specifically digital content and digital services.
Amendment    10 Proposal for a directive Recital 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(7)  Consumers will benefit from fully harmonised rights for digital content at a high level of protection. They will have clear rights when they receive or access digital content from anywhere in the EU. This will increase their confidence in buying digital content. This will also contribute to reducing the detriment consumers currently suffer, since there will be a set of clear rights that will enable them to address problems they face with digital content.	(7)  Consumers should benefit from fully harmonised rights for digital content and digital services at a high level of protection. They should have clear mandatory rights when they receive or access digital content or digital services from anywhere in the Union. This should increase their confidence in buying digital content or digital services. This should also contribute to reducing the detriment consumers currently suffer, since there will be a set of clear rights that will enable them to address problems they face with digital content or digital services.
Amendment    11 Proposal for a directive Recital 7 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(7a)  This Directive should also apply to dual purpose contracts, where the contract is concluded for purposes partly within and partly outside the person's trade and the trade purpose is marginal within the overall context of the contract, so that that person should also be considered a consumer.
Amendment    12 Proposal for a directive Recital 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(8)  This Directive should fully harmonise a set of key rules that are so far not regulated at Union level. It should include therefore rules on conformity of the digital content, remedies available to consumers in cases of lack of conformity of digital content with the contract and certain modalities for the exercise of those remedies. This Directive should also harmonise certain aspects concerning the right to terminate a long term contract, as well as certain aspects concerning the modification of the digital content.	(8)  This Directive should fully harmonise certain key rules that are so far not regulated at Union or national level. It should include therefore rules on conformity of the digital content or digital services, remedies available to consumers in cases of lack of conformity of digital content or digital services with the contract and certain modalities for the exercise of those remedies. This Directive should also harmonise certain aspects concerning the right to terminate a long-term contract, as well as certain aspects concerning the modification of the digital content or digital services.
Amendment    13 Proposal for a directive Recital 9
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(9)  By fully harmonising all requirements related to the topics regulated by this Directive, it precludes Member States, within its scope of application, from providing any further formal or substantive requirements, such as a period during which the lack of conformity has to become apparent, an obligation for the consumer to notify the supplier of a lack of conformity within a specific period or an obligation for the consumer to pay for the use of the digital content until the moment of termination because of a lack of conformity with the contract.	(9)  By fully harmonising the requirements related to the matters regulated by this Directive, it precludes Member States, within its scope of application, from providing any further formal or substantive requirements, such as any rules on the reversal of the burden of proof resulting in an outcome that is different to that provided for in this Directive or an obligation for the consumer to notify the trader of a lack of conformity within a specific period.
Amendment    14 Proposal for a directive Recital 10
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(10)  This Directive should not affect national laws to the extent that the topics concerned are not regulated by this Directive, such as national rules providing for obligations of the consumer towards the supplier of digital content or regulating the qualification, formation and validity of contracts or the legality of the content. Member States should also remain free to provide rules for the detailed conditions for the exercise of rights, such as the right to damages to the extent not covered by the Directive, or rules which provide for the consequences of termination of the contract which apply in addition to restitution rules regulated by this Directive.	(10)  This Directive should not affect national laws to the extent that the topics concerned are not regulated by this Directive, such as national rules providing for obligations of the consumer towards the supplier of digital content or regulating the qualification, formation and validity of contracts or the legality of the content. Member States should also remain free to provide rules for the detailed conditions for the exercise of rights, such as the right to damages to the extent not covered by the Directive, or rules which provide for the consequences of termination of the contract which apply in addition to restitution rules regulated by this Directive. Member States should be allowed to maintain or introduce national rules on remedies for ‘hidden defects’. Member States should be allowed to maintain national rules on the short-term right to reject, where available in their respective legal orders on the date of entry into force of this Directive.
Amendment    15 Proposal for a directive Recital 10 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(10a)  This Directive should not affect national laws governing the conditions under which a contract for the supply of digital content or digital services is considered to be linked with or ancillary to another contract which the consumer has concluded with the supplier or another trader, and the effect this has on either contract or on the remedies to be exercised under either contract. Member States should also be free to determine the nature of such contracts, including sales, services, rental or sui generis contracts.
Amendment    16 Proposal for a directive Recital 10 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(10b)  However, without prejudice to the European Electronic Communications Code1a, where, under a contract or a bundle of contracts, the trader offers digital content or a digital service in combination with other services such as interpersonal communication services or goods and the digital content or digital service is not pre-installed in the goods, this Directive should only apply to the digital content or digital service component of such a bundle. The other elements should be governed by the applicable law.
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	1a Directive .../... of the European Parliament and of the Council of ... establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (OJ L xx, [date], p. x-x.
Justification
Recital 10 b (new) replaces Recital 20 in the Commission proposal (see AM 27).
Amendment    17 Proposal for a directive Recital 11
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(11)  The Directive should address problems across different categories of digital content and its supply. In order to cater for fast technological developments and to maintain the future-proof nature of the notion of digital content, this notion as used in this Directive should be broader than in Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council.30 In particular it should cover services which allow the creation, processing or storage of data. While there are numerous ways for digital content to be supplied, such as transmission on a durable medium, downloading by consumers on their devices, web-streaming, allowing access to storage capabilities of digital content or access to the use of social media, this Directive should apply to all digital content independently of the medium used for its transmission. Differentiating between different categories in this technologically fast changing market is not desirable because it would hardly be possible to avoid discriminations between suppliers. A level-playing field between suppliers of different categories of digital content should be ensured. However this Directive should not apply to digital content which is embedded in goods in such a way that it operates as an integral part of the goods and its functions are subordinate to the main functionalities of the goods.	(11)  This Directive should address problems across different categories of digital content or digital services and their supply. In order to ensure consistency with the acquis, the notion of digital content should correspond to that used in Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council30 and should cover, for example, text, video, audio, applications, digital games and any other software. In order to respond to the fast pace of technological developments and to make this Directive future-proof, it should also cover digital services which allow the creation, processing or storage of data, as well as services which allow the sharing of data in digital form, including number-independent interpersonal communication services if they are not regulated by the European Electronic Communications Code. While there are numerous ways for digital content or digital services to be supplied, such as transmission on a CD, DVD or similar medium, downloading by consumers on their devices, web-streaming, allowing access to storage capabilities of digital services or access to the use of social media, this Directive should apply to all digital content or digital services independently of the medium used for their transmission. Differentiating between different categories in this technologically fast changing market is not desirable because it would hardly be possible to avoid discriminations between traders. A level playing field between traders of different categories of digital content or digital services should be ensured.
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30 OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p.64.	30 Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on consumer rights, amending Council Directive 93/13/EEC and Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directive 85/577/EEC and Directive 97/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p.64).
Amendment    18 Proposal for a directive Recital 12
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(12)  In order to meet the expectations of consumers and ensure a clear-cut and simple legal framework for suppliers of digital content offered on a durable medium, in relation to conformity requirements and remedies available to consumers for non-conformity, this Directive should apply to goods such as DVDs and CDs, incorporating digital content in such a way that the goods function only as a carrier of the digital content. The Directive should apply to the digital content supplied on a durable medium, independently whether it is sold at a distance or in face-to-face situations, so as to avoid fragmentation between the different distribution channels. The Directive 2011/83 should continue to apply to those goods, including to obligations related to the delivery of goods, remedies in case of the failure to deliver and the nature of the contract under which those goods are supplied. The Directive is also without prejudice to the distribution right applicable to these goods under copyright law.	(12)  In order to meet the expectations of consumers and ensure a clear-cut and simple legal framework for traders of goods in which digital content or a digital service is embedded, in relation to conformity requirements and remedies available to consumers for non-conformity, this Directive should apply to digital content or digital services pre-installed in goods, such as DVDs and CDs or ‘smart goods’. As regards such goods, the trader should be liable under this Directive to the consumer for meeting his obligations only in respect of the embedded digital content or digital service. Liability for the other elements of those goods should be governed by the applicable law. This Directive should apply to embedded digital content or services independently whether the goods in which they are pre-installed are supplied at a distance or in face-to-face situations, so as to avoid fragmentation between the different distribution channels. Directive 2011/83/EU should continue to apply to those goods, including the obligations related to the delivery of goods, remedies in case of the failure to deliver and the nature of the contract under which those goods are supplied. The rules on supply of and failure to supply digital content or digital services of this Directive do not, therefore, apply to embedded digital content and embedded digital services. This Directive is also without prejudice to the distribution right applicable to those goods under copyright law.
Amendment    19 Proposal for a directive Recital 13
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(13)  In the digital economy, information about individuals is often and increasingly seen by market participants as having a value comparable to money. Digital content is often supplied not in exchange for a price but against counter-performance other than money i.e. by giving access to personal data or other data. Those specific business models apply in different forms in a considerable part of the market. Introducing a differentiation depending on the nature of the counter-performance would discriminate between different business models; it would provide an unjustified incentive for businesses to move towards offering digital content against data. A level playing field should be ensured. In addition, defects of the performance features of the digital content supplied against counter-performance other than money may have an impact on the economic interests of consumers. Therefore the applicability of the rules of this Directive should not depend on whether a price is paid for the specific digital content in question.	(13)  In the digital economy, information about individuals is often and increasingly seen by market participants as having a value comparable to money. Digital content and digital services are often supplied not in exchange for a price but against data, i.e. by giving access to personal data or other data. Those specific business models apply in different forms in a considerable part of the market. Introducing a differentiation depending on the nature of the counter-performance would discriminate between different business models, which provides an unjustified incentive for businesses to move towards offering digital content or digital services against data. In addition, defects of the performance features of the digital content or digital service supplied against data as counter-performance may have an impact on the economic interests of consumers. In order to ensure a level playing-field, the applicability of the rules of this Directive should not depend on whether a price is paid for the specific digital content or digital service in question.
Amendment    20 Proposal for a directive Recital 13
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(13)  In the digital economy, information about individuals is often and increasingly seen by market participants as having a value comparable to money. Digital content is often supplied not in exchange for a price but against counter-performance other than money i.e. by giving access to personal data or other data. Those specific business models apply in different forms in a considerable part of the market. Introducing a differentiation depending on the nature of the counter-performance would discriminate between different business models; it would provide an unjustified incentive for businesses to move towards offering digital content against data. A level playing field should be ensured. In addition, defects of the performance features of the digital content supplied against counter-performance other than money may have an impact on the economic interests of consumers. Therefore the applicability of the rules of this Directive should not depend on whether a price is paid for the specific digital content in question.	(13)  In the digital economy, information about individuals is often and increasingly seen by market participants as having a value. Specific business models have developed in which traders supply digital content or a digital service and the consumer is required to provide or give access to personal data. Those specific business models already apply in different forms in a considerable part of the market. This Directive does not intend to decide whether such contracts should be allowed or not. In addition, it leaves to national law the question of validity of contracts for the supply of digital content or a digital service where personal data are provided or accessed. This Directive should, in no way, give the impression that it legitimises or encourages a practice based on monetisation of personal data, as personal data cannot be compared to a price, and therefore cannot be considered as a commodity. However, introducing a differentiation in the rules applying to monetary and non-monetary transactions would provide an unjustified incentive for businesses to favour the supply of digital content or digital services on condition that personal data is provided. In addition, defects of the performance features of the digital content or digital service supplied when no price is paid might have an impact on the economic interests of consumers. With a view to ensuring a level playing-field and a high level of consumer protection, the applicability of the rules of this Directive should not depend on whether a price is paid for the specific digital content or digital service in question.
Amendment    21 Proposal for a directive Recital 14
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(14)  As regards digital content supplied not in exchange for a price but against counter-performance other than money, this Directive should apply only to contracts where the supplier requests and the consumer actively provides data, such as name and e-mail address or photos, directly or indirectly to the supplier for example through individual registration or on the basis of a contract which allows access to consumers' photos. This Directive should not apply to situations where the supplier collects data necessary for the digital content to function in conformity with the contract, for example geographical location where necessary for a mobile application to function properly, or for the sole purpose of meeting legal requirements, for instance where the registration of the consumer is required for security and identification purposes by applicable laws. This Directive should also not apply to situations where the supplier collects information, including personal data, such as the IP address, or other automatically generated information such as information collected and transmitted by a cookie, without the consumer actively supplying it, even if the consumer accepts the cookie. It should also not apply to situations where the consumer is exposed to advertisements exclusively in order to gain access to digital content.	(14)  As regards digital content and digital services supplied not in exchange for a price but when personal data is provided, this Directive should apply to contracts where the trader requests and the consumer provides personal data, as well as where the trader collects personal data. It would include, for example, the name and e-mail address or photos, provided directly or indirectly to the trader, for example through individual registration or on the basis of a contract which allows access to consumers' photos, or personal data collected by the trader, such as the IP address. This Directive should not apply to situations where the trader collects personal data exclusively to supply, keep in conformity or improve digital content or a digital service or for the sole purpose of meeting legal requirements, for instance where the registration of the consumer is required for security and identification purposes by applicable laws. It should also not apply to situations where the consumer is exposed to advertisements exclusively in order to gain access to digital content or a digital service.
Amendment    22 Proposal for a directive Recital 15
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(15)  Content generated by consumers should be treated on the same basis as any other digital content that the consumer provides or stores throughout the period of duration of the contract such as music and video files, pictures, games or applications. Content generated by consumers comprises a wide range of examples including digital images, video and audio files, blogs, discussion forums, text-based collaboration formats, posts, chats, tweets, logs, podcasting, content created on mobile devices, content created in the context of online virtual environments, ratings and collections of links referring to online content.	(15)  Content generated by consumers should be treated on the same basis as any other digital content or digital services that the consumer provides or stores throughout the period of duration of the contract such as music and video files, pictures, games or applications, unless this Directive provides otherwise. Content generated by consumers comprises a wide range of examples including digital images, video and audio files, blogs, discussion forums, text-based collaboration formats, posts, chats, tweets, logs, podcasting, content created on mobile devices, content created in the context of online virtual environments, ratings and collections of links referring to online content.
Amendment     23 Proposal for a directive Recital 15 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(15a)  Suppliers of video files, pictures, software applications and other digital content should provide assurances with regard to the safety of digital content they provide, offering a high level of protection for consumers against malware.
Amendment    24 Proposal for a directive Recital 16
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(16)  In order to ensure a common set of rights for consumers and a level playing field for business, consumers should have the same remedies for digital content which is not in conformity with the contract irrespective of the way the content has been developed. Consequently the Directive should apply to contracts for the development of digital content tailor made to the specific requirements of the consumer including tailor made software. This Directive should also apply to the supply of visual modelling files required in the context of 3D printing. However this Directive should not regulate goods produced with the use of 3D printing technology or the damage caused to them.	(16)  In order to ensure a common set of rights for consumers and a level playing field for businesses, consumers should have the same remedies for digital content or digital services which are not in conformity with the contract irrespective of the way in which the content or service has been developed. Consequently, this Directive should apply to contracts for the development of digital content or digital services tailor made for the specific requirements of the consumer including tailor-made software. This Directive should also apply to the supply of visual modelling files required in the context of 3D printing. However this Directive should not regulate goods produced with the use of 3D printing technology or the damage caused to them.
Amendment    25 Proposal for a directive Recital 17
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(17)  Digital content is highly relevant in the context of the Internet of Things. However it is opportune to address specific issues of liability related to the Internet of Things, including the liability for data and machine-to-machine contracts, in a separate way.	(17)  This Directive should apply to devices connected as part of the Internet of Things (“IoT devices”). However it is opportune to address specific issues of liability related to machine-to-machine contracts in a separate way.
Amendment    26 Proposal for a directive Recital 18
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(18)  Contracts may include general terms and conditions of the supplier that need to be accepted by the consumer. For some digital content, suppliers often describe the service and measurable service targets in a service level agreement. These service level agreements are generally appended to the main contract and form an important component of the contractual relationship between the supplier and the consumer. They should be covered by the definition of a contract under this Directive, and should thus comply with the rules laid down therein.	(18)  Contracts may include general terms and conditions of the trader that need to be accepted by the consumer. For digital services, traders often describe the service and measurable service targets in a service level agreement. These service level agreements are generally appended to the main contract and form an important component of the contractual relationship between the trader and the consumer. They should be covered by this Directive, and should thus comply with the rules laid down therein.
Amendment    27 Proposal for a directive Recital 19
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(19)  This Directive should apply only to those services whose main subject matter is providing digital content. Therefore, the Directive should not apply to services, which are performed personally by the supplier and where the digital means are only used for access or delivery purposes, such as a translation offered by a person or other professional advice services where only the output of the service is delivered to the consumer by digital means.	(19)  This Directive should apply only to those services whose main subject matter is providing digital services. Therefore, the Directive should not apply to services, which are performed personally by the trader and where the digital means are only used for access or delivery purposes, such as a translation offered by a person or other professional advice services where only the output of the service is delivered to the consumer by digital means.
Amendment    28 Proposal for a directive Recital 20
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(20)  Where, under a contract or a bundle of contracts, the supplier offers digital content in combination with other services such as telecommunication services or goods, which do not function merely as a carrier of the digital content, this Directive should only apply to the digital content component of such a bundle. The other elements should be governed by the applicable law.	deleted
Justification
Amended Recital 20 moved as Recital 10 b (new).
Amendment    29 Proposal for a directive Recital 21
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(21)  This Directive should not deal with copyright and other intellectual property related aspects of the supply of digital content. Therefore it should be without prejudice to any rights and obligations according to copyright law and other intellectual property laws.	(21)  This Directive should not deal with copyright and other intellectual property related aspects of the supply of digital content or digital services. Therefore it should be without prejudice to any rights and obligations according to copyright law and other intellectual property laws.
Amendment    30 Proposal for a directive Recital 22
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(22)  The protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data is governed by Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council31 and by Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council32 which are fully applicable in the context of contracts for the supply of digital content. Those Directives already establish a legal framework in the field of personal data in the Union. The implementation and application of this Directive should be made in full compliance with that legal framework.	(22)  The pursuit of activities falling within the scope of this Directive involves the processing of personal data. This Directive is without prejudice to the rules of Union law applicable to the processing of personal data within the Union, in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council31a and Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council32 which together govern the processing of personal data carried out in the Member States under the supervision of the Member States' competent authorities, and in particular of the public independent authorities designated by the Member States. Those legal acts already establish a Union legal framework in the field of personal data and are fully applicable in the context of contracts for the supply of digital content or digital services. The implementation and application of this Directive should be made in full compliance with that legal framework.
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31 OJ L 281, 23/11/1995, p. 31 - 50) [to be replaced by the General Data Protection Regulation, once adopted].
	31a Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).
32 OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37–47.	32 Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications) (OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37).
Amendment    31 Proposal for a directive Recital 22 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(22a)  The scope of this Directive includes 'Internet of Things’ (IoT) applications, which are often designed to be contextually aware of the needs and desires of the user, collecting information about their daily practices and routines, whilst remaining invisible in use and unremarkable to users. Although consumers may at least have had a chance to read the privacy policy of their IoT device before signing the contract, these privacy policies are not always understandable. Moreover, IoT devices are routinely designed with poor, or no, encryption strength and a lack of other security features. It is also common for them to rely heavily on wireless communications protocols which lack mandatory technical and security standards. Consumers generally have no idea about IoT security and, as a result, default passwords are often installed in household appliances, are never changed and are routinely compromised. This Directive, in conjunction with the core principles of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, provides for civil liability when IoT devices fail to include privacy in the architecture of the product, and for contract terms which violate any right which has been afforded to the consumer as a data subject under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 not to be binding.
Amendment    32 Proposal for a directive Recital 23
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(23)  There are various ways for digital content to reach consumers. It is opportune to set simple and clear rules as to the modalities and the time for performing the supplier's main contractual obligation to supply digital content to the consumer. Considering that the supplier is not in principle responsible for acts or omissions of an internet provider or an electronic platform which the consumer selected for receiving the digital content, it should be sufficient for the supplier to supply the digital content to this third party. With regard to the time of supply, in line with market practices and technical possibilities, the digital content should be supplied immediately, unless the parties decide to agree otherwise in order to cater for other supply models.	(23)  There are various ways for digital content or digital services to reach consumers or to be made accessible to them. It is opportune to set simple and clear rules as to the modalities and the time for performing the trader’s main contractual obligation to supply digital content or a digital service to the consumer. Considering that the trader is not in principle responsible for acts or omissions of an internet provider or an electronic platform which the consumer selected for receiving the digital content or digital service, it should be sufficient for the trader to supply the digital content or digital service to this third party or to any other party designated by the consumer. With regard to the time of supply, in line with market practices and technical possibilities, the digital content or digital service should be supplied without undue delay after the conclusion of the contract, unless the parties decide to agree otherwise in order to cater for other supply models.
Amendment    33 Proposal for a directive Recital 24
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(24)  In order to promote innovation in the Digital Single Market and cater for technological developments reflected in the fast changing characteristics of digital content, it is justified for the digital content to be, above all, in conformity with what was agreed in the contract.	deleted
Amendment    34 Proposal for a directive Recital 25
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(25)  In cases where the contract does not stipulate sufficiently clear and comprehensive benchmarks to ascertain the conformity of the digital content with the contract, it is necessary to set objective conformity criteria to ensure that consumers are not deprived of their rights. In such cases the conformity with the contract should be assessed considering the purpose for which digital content of the same description would normally be used.	(25)  In order to provide clarity as to what a consumer can expect from the digital content or digital service concerned and what the trader would be liable for in the event of failure to supply it, it is essential to harmonise rules for determining conformity with the contract. Applying a combination of subjective and objective criteria should safeguard the legitimate interests of both parties to the contract. The contract should stipulate sufficiently clear and comprehensive benchmarks to ascertain the conformity of the digital content or digital service with the contract. It is also necessary to set objective conformity criteria to ensure that consumers are not deprived of their rights. The conformity with the contract should be assessed considering the quality and performance for which digital content or digital services of the same description would normally be used, taking into account what can be reasonably expected by the consumer, the nature of the digital content or digital service and, if applicable, any public statements on the specific characteristics of the digital content or digital service made by or on behalf of the trader, the producer or his representative, particularly in advertising or on labelling. Consumers' expectations vary widely depending on the type and the use of digital content and services and should therefore be objectively ascertained.
Amendment    35 Proposal for a directive Recital 25 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(25a)  While freedom of contract with regard to the criteria of conformity with the contract should be ensured, in order to avoid circumvention of liability for lack of conformity and to ensure a high level of consumer protection, any contract clause that derogates from the mandatory rules on criteria of conformity and incorrect integration of the digital content or the digital service and that is detrimental to the interests of the consumer shall be valid only if the consumer has been specifically informed and expressly consented to it when concluding the contract.
Amendment    36 Proposal for a directive Recital 26
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(26)  Due to its nature digital content needs to interact with other digital equipment to function properly; interoperability should therefore form a part of the conformity criteria. In particular it needs to interact with hardware including processor speed and graphics card features and software including a specific version of the operating system or specific multi-media player. The notion of functionality should refer to the ways in which digital content can be used; it should also refer to the absence or presence of any technical restrictions such as protection via Digital Rights Management or regional coding.	(26)  Due to their nature, digital content and digital services need to interact with other digital equipment to function properly; interoperability should therefore form a part of the conformity criteria. Interoperability should be understood as the ability of the digital content or digital service to perform all its functionalities by interacting with a particular digital environment. Functionality should be understood as the ways in which digital content or a digital service can be used; it should also be understood as including the absence or presence of any technical restrictions such as protection via Digital Rights Management or regional coding. The consumer should be notified in advance of the authorised uses of the digital content, such as private copying. Where the contract concerns copyright-protected works, the conformity of the contract implies that all copyright laws have been respected. Contractual clauses that specifically prevent the lawful enjoyment of exceptions or limitations laid down in copyright law should constitute a lack of conformity. The conditions under which exceptions or limitations are enjoyed should continue to be determined by Union rules on copyright and related rights, which are not modified by this Directive.
Amendment    37 Proposal for a directive Recital 27
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(27)  While data-driven services and technologies bring significant benefits, they also create some vulnerabilities. As recognised by the Digital Single Market Strategy a high level of network and information security is essential across the European Union to ensure respect of fundamental rights such as the right to privacy and personal data, to increase user confidence and strengthen their trust in the digital economy. As software becomes pervasive, qualities such as reliability, security and adaptability to evolving needs are also becoming a prime concern. It is therefore increasingly important that those data-driven services and technologies ensure that those qualities are guaranteed, to the extent that is proportionate to the role and function those technologies play. In particular, quality in terms of security and reliability is becoming an important concern for innovative, composite services that have to rely on the interconnection of diverse systems in different domains.	(27)  While data-driven services and technologies bring significant benefits, they also create some vulnerabilities. A high level of network and information security is essential across the European Union to ensure respect of fundamental rights such as the right to privacy and protection of personal data, to increase user confidence and strengthen their trust in the digital economy. As software becomes pervasive, qualities such as reliability, security, and adaptability to evolving needs are also becoming a prime concern. It is therefore increasingly important that those data-driven services and technologies ensure that those qualities are guaranteed, to the extent that is proportionate to the role and function those technologies play. In particular, quality in terms of security and reliability is becoming an important concern for innovative, composite services that have to rely on the interconnection of diverse systems in different domains. In this context it is important to stress that updates, including security updates, are necessary for ensuring the security of the operating software of smart goods such as smartphones, which require the installation by the consumer as soon as possible of the most recent version provided by the trader in order for the consumer to be protected against exploitation by persons acting with malicious intent.
Amendment    38 Proposal for a directive Recital 28
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(28)  When applying the rules of this Directive, suppliers should make use of standards, open technical specifications, good practices and codes of conduct, including in relation to the commonly used data format for retrieving the content generated by the user or any other content provided by the consumer, whether established at the international level, the European level or at the level of a specific industry sector. In this context, the Commission may consider the promotion of the development of international and European standards and the drawing up of a code of conduct by trade associations and other representative organisations that could support the uniform implementation of the Directive.	(28)  When applying the rules of this Directive, traders should make use of standards, open technical specifications, good practices and codes of conduct, including in relation to the commonly used data format for retrieving the content generated by the user or any other content provided by the consumer, and including on the security of information systems and digital environments, whether established at the international level, the European level or at the level of a specific industry sector. In this context, the Commission may call for the development of international and European standards and the drawing up of a code of conduct by trade associations and other representative organisations that could support the uniform implementation of this Directive.
Amendment    39 Proposal for a directive Recital 28 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(28a)  During a reasonable period of time, the trader should provide the consumer with updates, including security updates, in order to keep the digital content or digital service in conformity with the contract. The consumer should remain free to install those updates or not. For instance, the consumer may decide not to install the updates supplied to him where this would require an upgrade to his operating system. However, in such cases, if the consumer decides not to install the updates, the consumer cannot, unless the trader expressly agrees otherwise, reasonably expect the digital content or digital service to remain in conformity with the contract. The consumer should be made aware of the fact that the consumer’s decision not to install necessary updates, including security updates, will be taken into account when assessing the trader’s responsibility for maintaining the conformity of the digital content or digital service in conformity.
Amendment    40 Proposal for a directive Recital 29
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(29)  Many types of digital content are supplied over a period of time. For instance, consumers access cloud services over a period of time. It is therefore important to ensure that the digital content is in conformity with the contract throughout the duration of the contract. Moreover, given the frequent improvement of digital content, notably by updates, the version of digital content supplied to the consumer should be the most recent one available at the time of the conclusion of the contract.	(29)  Many types of digital content or digital services are supplied over a period of time, such as access to cloud services. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the digital content or digital service is in conformity with the contract throughout the duration of the contract. Significant, continuous and recurring interruptions to the supply of digital content or digital service which fall within the responsibility of the trader should be treated as cases of non-conformity. Moreover, given the frequent improvement of digital content and digital services, notably by updates, the version of digital content or of a digital service supplied to the consumer should be the most recent one available at the time of the conclusion of the contract, unless the parties to the contract expressly agree that an older version will be supplied, for instance in order to ensure interoperability with the digital environment of the consumer.
Amendment    41 Proposal for a directive Recital 30
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(30)  In order to work properly, digital content needs to be correctly integrated into the consumer's hardware and software environment. Where a lack of conformity with the contract of the digital content results from an incorrect integration, it should be regarded as a lack of conformity with the contract of the digital content itself, where it was integrated by the supplier or under its control, or by the consumer following supplier's instructions for integration and the incorrect integration was due to shortcomings in the required integration instructions. In such scenarios the origin of the lack of conformity stems from the sphere of the supplier.	(30)  In order to work properly, digital content or a digital service needs to be correctly integrated into the consumer's digital environment. Where a lack of conformity with the contract of the digital content or digital service results from an incorrect integration, it should be regarded as a lack of conformity with the contract of the digital content or digital service itself, where it was integrated by the trader or under its control, or by the consumer following the trader’s instructions for integration and the incorrect integration was due to shortcomings in the required integration instructions. In such scenarios the origin of the lack of conformity stems from the sphere of the trader.
Amendment    42 Proposal for a directive Recital 31
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(31)  Conformity should cover material as well as legal defects. Third party rights might effectively bar the consumer from enjoying the digital content or some of its features in accordance with the contract if those third party rights are infringed, and if when the third party rightfully compels the supplier to stop infringing those rights and to discontinue offering the digital content in question. Legal defects are particularly important for digital content, which, by its nature, is subject to intellectual property rights. Therefore the supplier should be obliged to ensure that the digital content is free from any right of a third party, for example a copyright claim related to the digital content, which precludes the consumer from enjoying the digital content in accordance with the contract.	(31)  Conformity should cover material as well as legal defects. Third party rights might effectively bar the consumer from enjoying the digital content or digital service or some of its features in accordance with the contract if those third party rights are infringed, and if when the third party rightfully compels the trader to stop infringing those rights and to discontinue offering the digital content or digital services in question. Legal defects are particularly important for digital content or digital services, which, by their nature, are subject to intellectual property rights. Therefore the trader should be obliged to ensure that the digital content or digital service is free from any restrictions resulting from any right of a third party, for example a copyright claim related to the digital content or digital service, which precludes the consumer from enjoying the digital content or digital service in accordance with the contract.
Amendment     43 Proposal for a directive Recital 31 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(31a)  In order to avoid a legal lacuna in consumer protection in relation to contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services, the conditions for any binding commercial guarantees, and in particular pre-contractual information, advertising and guarantee statements should be laid down.
Amendment    44 Proposal for a directive Recital 32
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(32)  Due to the specific nature of digital content with its high complexity as well as the supplier's better knowledge and access to know how, technical information and high-tech assistance, it is the supplier who is in a better position than the consumer to know the reasons for the digital content not being in conformity with the contract. The supplier is also in a better position to assess whether the lack of conformity with the contract is due to incompatibility of the consumer's digital environment with the technical requirements for the digital content. Therefore in case of a dispute it should be for the supplier to prove that the digital content is in conformity with the contract, unless the supplier proves that the consumer's digital environment is not compatible with the digital content. Only where the supplier proves that the consumer's digital environment is not compatible with the interoperability and other technical requirements, it should be for the consumer to prove that the digital content is not in conformity with the contract.	(32)  Due to the specific nature of digital content and digital services with their high complexity as well as the trader's better knowledge and access to know how, technical information and high-tech assistance, it is the trader who is in a better position than the consumer to know why the digital content or digital service is not in conformity with the contract. The trader is also in a better position to assess whether the lack of conformity with the contract is due to incompatibility of the consumer’s digital environment with the technical requirements for the digital content or digital service. Therefore, in case of a dispute, it should be for the trader to prove that the digital content or digital service is in conformity with the contract, unless the trader proves that the consumer's digital environment is not compatible with the digital content or digital service. Where the trader proves that the consumer's digital environment is not compatible with the interoperability and other technical requirements, it should be for the consumer to prove that the digital content or service is not in conformity with the contract. The period of time during which the burden of proof for the lack of conformity with the contract is on the trader should be two years from the time when the digital content or digital service was supplied. This time limit should be reduced to one year in the case of digital content or a digital service embedded in goods. In the case of long-term contracts for the supply of digital content or a digital service, the burden of proof should remain on the trader throughout the duration of the contract.
Amendment    45 Proposal for a directive Recital 33
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(33)  Without prejudice to the fundamental rights to the protection of private life, including confidentiality of communications, and the protection of personal data of the consumer, the consumer should cooperate with the supplier in order to allow the supplier to ascertain the consumer's digital environment with the use of the least intrusive means which are at the disposal of both parties in the circumstances. This may often be done for instance by providing the supplier with automatically generated incident reports or details of the consumer's internet connection. Only in exceptional and duly justified circumstances where with the best use of all other means there is no other way possible, this may also be done by allowing virtual access to the consumer's digital environment. However, where the consumer does not cooperate with the supplier, it should be for the consumer to prove that the digital content is not in conformity with the contract.	(33)  Without prejudice to the fundamental rights to the protection of private life, including confidentiality of communications, and the protection of personal data of the consumer, the consumer should cooperate with the trader in order to allow the trader to ascertain the consumer's digital environment with the use of the least intrusive means which are at the disposal of both parties in the circumstances, with the aim of determining whether the lack of conformity existed at the time of the supply of the digital content or digital service This may often be done for instance by providing the trader with automatically generated incident reports or details of the consumer's internet connection. Only in exceptional and duly justified circumstances where with the best use of all other means there is no other way possible, this may also be done by allowing virtual access to the consumer's digital environment. However, where the consumer does not cooperate with the trader, it should be for the consumer to prove that the digital content or digital service is not in conformity with the contract, provided that the consumer was informed of this consequence of non-cooperation.
Amendment    46 Proposal for a directive Recital 34
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(34)  The supplier should be liable to the consumer for the lack of conformity with the contract and for any failure to supply the digital content. Moreover, given that digital content may be supplied over a period of time, it is justified that the supplier should be liable for any lack of conformity which occurs during that period.	(34)  The trader should be liable to the consumer for any failure to supply the digital content or digital service and for any lack of conformity of the digital content or digital service with the contract that becomes apparent within two years from the time of supply. Given that digital content or digital services may be supplied over a period of time, the trader should be liable for any lack of conformity which occurs during that period. As regards embedded digital content or embedded digital services, a similar legal guarantee regime as that which is applicable to normal goods should apply. In order to increase consumer confidence and boost cross-border sales, both online and offline, further progress should be made in the process of harmonising consumer legislation. The two-year minimum legal guarantee period laid down in Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council1a should become a fully harmonised norm. However, in order not to decrease consumer protection in certain Member States, those Member States that have already introduced longer or different models of guarantee periods by the time of entry into force of this Directive should be able to maintain them.
	____________
	1a Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees (OJ L 171, 7.7.1999, p. 12).
Amendment    47 Proposal for a directive Recital 35
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(35)  A failure of the supplier to supply the digital content to the consumer in accordance with the contract is a serious breach of the main contractual obligation of the supplier, which should allow the consumer to immediately terminate the contract. Where the supplier has initially not failed to supply the digital content, interruptions of the supply making the digital content not available or accessible to the consumer over a short period of time should be treated as non-conformity with the contract, and not a failure to supply. In particular, the requirement of proper continuity of the digital content should also cover more than negligible short term interruptions of the supply.	(35)  Where the trader fails to supply the digital content or digital services to the consumer in accordance with the contract, the consumer should call upon the trader to make the supply. Any failure to supply the digital content or digital service without undue delay should allow the consumer to immediately terminate the contract, unless the parties expressly agree to an additional period of time for the supply of the digital content or digital service. Where the trader has initially not failed to supply the digital content or digital services, interruptions of the supply making the digital content or digital services not available or accessible to the consumer over a short period of time should be treated as non-conformity with the contract, and not a failure to supply. In particular, the requirement of proper continuity of the digital content or digital services should also cover more than negligible short term interruptions of the supply.
Amendment    48 Proposal for a directive Recital 36
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(36)  In the case of non-conformity with the contract, consumers should as a first step be entitled to have the digital content brought to conformity with the contract. Depending on technical characteristics of the digital content, the supplier may select a specific way of bringing the digital content to conformity with the contract, for example by issuing updates or requiring the consumer to access a new copy of the digital content. Given the diversity of digital content, it is not appropriate to set fixed deadlines for the exercise of rights or the fulfilling of obligations related to that digital content. Such deadlines may not capture this diversity and be either too short or too long, depending on the case. It is therefore more appropriate to refer to reasonable deadlines. The digital content should be brought into conformity with the contract within a reasonable time and free of any costs; in particular the consumer should not incur any costs associated with the development of an update for the digital content.	(36)  In the case of non-conformity with the contract, consumers should as a first step be entitled to have the digital content or digital service brought into conformity with the contract. Depending on the technical characteristics of the digital content or digital service, the trader should select a specific way of bringing the digital content or digital service into conformity with the contract, for example by issuing updates or requiring the consumer to access a new copy of the digital content. To avoid any significant inconvenience for the consumer, the trader should not be entitled to make more than one attempt to rectify the same defect. Given the diversity of digital content and digital services, it is not appropriate to set fixed deadlines for the exercise of rights or the fulfilling of obligations related to that digital content or digital service. Such deadlines may not capture this diversity and be either too short or too long, depending on the case. It is therefore more appropriate to refer to reasonable deadlines. The reasonable time for bringing the digital content or digital service into conformity with the contract should be objectively ascertained, having regard to the nature of the digital content or service and the lack of conformity. The digital content or digital service should be brought into conformity with the contract free of any costs; in particular the consumer should not incur any costs associated with the development of an update for the digital content.
Amendment    49 Proposal for a directive Recital 37
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(37)  As a second step, the consumer should be entitled to have the price reduced or the contract terminated. The right of a consumer to have the contract terminated should be limited to those cases where for instance bringing the digital content to conformity is not possible and the non-conformity impairs the main performance features of the digital content. Where the consumer terminates the contract, the supplier should reimburse the price paid by the consumer or, where the digital content is supplied not in exchange for a price but against access to data provided by the consumer, the supplier should refrain from using it, from transferring that data to third parties or allowing third parties to access it after termination of the contract. Fulfilling the obligation to refrain from using data should mean in the case when the counter-performance consists of personal data, that the supplier should take all measures in order to comply with data protection rules by deleting it or rendering it anonymous in such a way that the consumer cannot be identified by any means likely reasonably to be used either by the supplier or by any other person. Without prejudice to obligations of a controller under Directive 95/46/EC the supplier should not be obliged to undertake any further steps in relation to data which the supplier has lawfully provided to third parties in the course of the duration of the contract for the supply of the digital content.	(37)  As a second step, the consumer should be entitled to have the price reduced or the contract terminated. The right of a consumer to have the contract terminated should be limited to those cases where for instance bringing the digital content or digital service into conformity is not possible and the non-conformity impairs the main performance features of the digital content or digital service. In the case of contracts concluded by digital means, the trader should provide the consumer with an easy digital means to terminate the contract, for instance, an online form. Where the consumer terminates the contract, the trader should reimburse the price paid by the consumer.
Amendment    50 Proposal for a directive Recital 38
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(38)  Upon termination the supplier should also refrain from using the content generated by the consumer. However, in those cases where more than one consumer generated particular content, the supplier is entitled to continue to use the content generated by the consumer where those other consumers make use of it.	(38)  Upon termination the trader should refrain from using the content generated by the consumer. However, in those cases where the user-generated content either has no utility outside the eco-system or only relates to the consumer’s activity, or has been aggregated with other data by the trader and cannot be disaggregated or only with disproportionate efforts, the trader is entitled to continue to use the content generated by the consumer. This is also the case where more than one consumer generated particular content and other consumers can continue to make use of it. This includes individual content contributions by a consumer to a collaborative project that other consumers continue to make use of. Such individual content contributions should be reusable by the trader under the conditions under which they were originally provided by the consumer also after the contract is terminated.
Amendment    51 Proposal for a directive Recital 39
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(39)  In order to ensure that the consumer benefits from effective protection in relation to the right to terminate the contract, the supplier should allow the consumer to retrieve all data uploaded by the consumer, produced by the consumer with the use of the digital content or generated through the consumer's use of the digital content. This obligation should extend to data which the supplier is obliged to retain under the contract for the supply of the digital content as well as to data which the supplier has effectively retained in relation to the contract.	deleted
Amendment    52 Proposal for a directive Recital 40
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(40)  Where, following the termination of the contract because of a lack of conformity with the contract, the supplier provides the consumer with the technical means to retrieve the data, the consumer should be entitled to retrieve the data free of any costs, for example the cost of employing a commonly used data format with the exception of costs generated by the consumer's own digital environment including the costs of a network connection as they are not specifically linked with the retrieval of the data.	(40)  Following the termination of the contract because of a lack of conformity with the contract, the trader should make available to the consumer any user-generated content that does not constitute personal data, unless such content has no utility outside the context of the digital content or digital service supplied by the trader, it only relates to the consumer’s activity when using the digital content or digital service supplied by the trader, or it has been aggregated with other data by the trader and cannot be disaggregated or to do so would require disproportionate effort to be made. The consumer should be entitled to retrieve the content free of any costs, and in a commonly used and machine-readable data format.
Amendment    53 Proposal for a directive Recital 41
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(41)  Where the contract is terminated, the consumer should not be required to pay for the use of digital content which is not in conformity with the contract because that would deprive the consumer of effective protection.	(41)  Where the contract is terminated, the consumer should not be required to pay for the use of digital content or a digital service that is not in conformity with the contract because that would deprive the consumer of effective protection.
Amendment    54 Proposal for a directive Recital 42
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(42)  Considering the need to balance legitimate interests of consumers and suppliers, where the digital content provided over a period of time in exchange for a payment of a price, gives rise to the right to terminate, the consumer should be entitled to terminate only the part of the contract which corresponds to the time when the digital content was not in conformity with the contract. However where the digital content is provided against a counter-performance other than money partial termination is not feasible because it is impossible to proportionally apportion a counter-performance other than money.	(42)  Considering the need to balance legitimate interests of consumers and traders, where the digital content or the digital service provided over a period of time in exchange for a payment of a price, gives rise to the right to terminate, the consumer should be entitled to terminate only the part of the contract which corresponds to the period of time when the digital content or the digital service was not in conformity with the contract.
Amendment    55 Proposal for a directive Recital 43
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(43)  Due to its nature the digital content is not subject to wear and tear while being used and it is often supplied over a period of time rather than as a one-off supply. It is, therefore, justified not to provide a period during which the supplier should be held liable for any lack of conformity which exists at the time of the supply of the digital content. Consequently Member States should refrain from maintaining or introducing such a period. Member States should remain free to rely on national prescription rules in order to ensure legal certainty in relation to claims based on the lack of conformity of digital content.	deleted
Amendment    56 Proposal for a directive Recital 44
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(44)  The principle of the supplier's liability for damages is an essential element of the contracts for supply of digital content. In order to increase consumers' trust in digital content this principle should thus be regulated at Union level to ensure that consumers do not suffer a detriment if their hardware or software is damaged by digital content which is not in conformity with the contract. Therefore, consumers should be entitled to a compensation for damages caused to the consumer's digital environment by a lack of conformity with the contract or a failure to supply the digital content. However, it should be for Member States to lay down the detailed conditions for the exercise of the right to damages while taking into account that discounts on prices for future supplies of the digital content, especially when offered by suppliers as an exclusive compensation for losses, do not necessarily put the consumer as nearly as possible into the position in which the consumer would have been if the digital content had been duly supplied and been in conformity with the contract.	(44)  The principle of the trader's liability for damages is an essential element of the contracts for supply of digital content or digital services. Therefore, the consumer should be entitled to claim compensation for detriment caused by a lack of conformity with the contract or a failure to supply the digital content or digital service. However, if the existence of such a right to claim damages is ensured in all Member States, it should not be regulated at Union level and should be determined by national law.
Amendment    57 Proposal for a directive Recital 45
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(45)  Due to technological or other reasons the supplier might be compelled to change features of the digital content supplied over a period of time. These changes are often to the advantage of the consumer as they improve the digital content. Consequently, the parties to the contract may include respective clauses in the contract which allow the supplier to undertake modifications. However, where such modifications negatively affect the way the consumer benefits from main performance features of the digital content, they may disturb the balance of the contract or the nature of the performance due under the contract to an extent that the consumer may not have concluded such a contract. Therefore, in such cases these modifications should be subject to certain conditions.	(45)  The trader should be allowed under certain conditions to modify main performance features of the digital content or digital service supplied over a period of time, such as its accessibility and continuity provided the contract gives a valid reason for such a modification. Such valid reasons could encompass cases where the modification is necessary to adapt the digital content or digital service to a new technical environment or to an increased number of users or for other important operational reasons. These changes are often to the advantage of the consumer as they improve the digital content or digital service. Consequently, the parties to the contract may include respective clauses in the contract which allow the trader to undertake modifications. However, where such modifications negatively affect the way the consumer benefits from main performance features of the digital content or digital service, they may disturb the balance of the contract or the nature of the performance due under the contract to an extent that the consumer may not have concluded such a contract. In order to balance consumer and business interests, such a possibility offered to the trader should be coupled with a right of the consumer to terminate the contract where these modifications negatively impact the use of or access to the digital content or digital service in a more than merely minor way. To what extent modifications negatively impact the use of or access to the digital content or digital service by the consumer should be objectively ascertained having regard to the nature and purpose of the digital content or digital service and to the quality, functionality, interoperability and other main features which are normal in digital content or a digital service of the same type. The rules concerning such updates, upgrades or similar modifications should however not concern situations where, for instance as a consequence of distributing a new version of the digital content or digital service, the parties conclude a new contract for the supply of the digital content or digital service.
Amendment    58 Proposal for a directive Recital 45 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(45a)  Where such a modification negatively impacts the access or use of the digital content or digital service by the consumer, the consumer should enjoy as a result of such a modification the right to terminate the contract free of any cost. Where the conditions under which the modification is allowed are not satisfied, the consumer’s rights to remedies for the lack of conformity remain unprejudiced. Similarly, where, subsequent to a modification, a lack of conformity of the digital content or digital service occurs that has not been caused by the modification, the consumer should continue to be entitled to rely on remedies for the lack of conformity in relation to this digital content or digital service as provided for in this Directive.
Amendment    59 Proposal for a directive Recital 46
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(46)  Competition is an important element for a well-functioning digital single market. In order to stimulate such a competition, consumers should be enabled to respond to competitive offers and to switch between suppliers. In order to make this work in practice, they should be able to do so without being hindered by legal, technical or practical obstacles, including contractual conditions or lack of means for retrieving all data uploaded by the consumer, produced by the consumer with the use of the digital content or generated through the consumer's use of the digital content. However, it is also important to protect existing investments and the trust in concluded contracts. Therefore consumers should be given the right to terminate long-term contracts under certain balanced conditions. This does not preclude that consumer contracts may be concluded for longer contractual periods. However, the consumer should be entitled to terminate any contractual relation that altogether lasts for a period longer than 12 months. In order to prevent any circumvention of this right it should cover any contract which results in the consumer being bound by the contract for more than 12 months, irrespective of whether the contract is of indeterminate duration or is extended automatically or following a subsequent agreement by the parties.	(46)  Competition is an important element for a well-functioning digital single market. In order to stimulate such a competition, consumers should be enabled to respond to competitive offers and to switch between traders. In order to make this work in practice, they should be able to do so without being hindered by legal, technical or practical obstacles, including contractual conditions or lack of means for retrieving all data uploaded by the consumer, produced by the consumer with the use of the digital content or generated through the consumer's use of the digital content. However, it is also important to protect existing investments and the trust in concluded contracts. Therefore consumers should be given the right to terminate long-term contracts under certain balanced conditions. This does not preclude that consumer contracts may be concluded for longer contractual periods. In the case of earlier termination, any advantages resulting from the conclusion of contracts with a duration exceeding 12 months should be reimbursed proportionately. The trader should provide information about the conditions and consequences for early termination of fixed-term contracts with a duration exceeding 12 months. However, the consumer should be entitled to terminate any contractual relation that altogether lasts for a period exceeding 12 months. In order to prevent any circumvention of this right it should cover any contract which results in the consumer being bound by the contract exceeding 12 months, irrespective of whether the contract has an initial fixed duration exceeding 12 months or is extended automatically or following a combination of subsequent contracts or renewal periods exceeding 12 months.
Amendment    60 Proposal for a directive Recital 47
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(47)  The lack of conformity with the contract of the final digital content as supplied to the consumer is often due to one of the transactions in a chain, from the original designer to the final supplier. While the final supplier should be liable towards the consumer in case of lack of conformity with the contract between these two parties, it is important to ensure that the supplier has appropriate rights vis-a-vis different members of the chain of transactions in order to be able to cover his liability towards the consumer. However, it should be for the applicable national law to identify the members of the chains of transactions against which the final supplier can turn and the modalities and conditions of such actions.	(47)  The lack of conformity with the contract of the final digital content or digital service as supplied to the consumer is often due to one of the financial transactions in a chain, from the original designer to the final trader. While the final trader should be liable towards the consumer in case of lack of conformity with the contract between these two parties, it is important to ensure that the trader has appropriate rights vis-a-vis different members of the chain of financial transactions in order to be able to cover his liability towards the consumer. These rights should be strictly limited to financial transactions and not extend to situations where, for instance, the trader re-uses free third party software that the trader did not pay for. However, it should be for the applicable national law to identify the members of the chains of transactions against which the final trader can turn and the modalities and conditions of such actions. Member States should ensure that national law adequately protects the trader when determining the person against whom the trader is able to pursue remedies, the time periods and the relevant actions and conditions of exercise.
Amendment     61 Proposal for a directive Recital 47 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(47a)  This Directive does not aim to introduce a legal framework for free software licenses, where free software is part of the provided digital content or digital service, nor does it aim to impose an obligation onto a developer merely by virtue of the fact that he has publicly made the software available under a free software license.
Amendment    62 Proposal for a directive Recital 48
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(48)  Persons or organisations regarded under national law as having a legitimate interest in protecting consumer contractual rights should be afforded the right to initiate proceedings, either before a court or before an administrative authority which is competent to decide upon complaints or to initiate appropriate legal proceedings.	(48)  Persons or organisations regarded under national law as having a legitimate interest in protecting consumer contractual and data protection rights should be afforded the right to initiate proceedings, either before a court or before an administrative authority which is competent to decide upon complaints or to initiate appropriate legal proceedings. Those complaints or proceedings should be sufficient as a deterrent.
Amendment    63 Proposal for a directive Recital 50
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(50)  Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council35 should be amended to reflect the scope of this Directive in relation to a durable medium incorporating digital content where it has been used exclusively as carrier of the digital content to the consumer.	(50)  Directive 1999/44/EC should be amended to reflect the scope of this Directive in relation to embedded digital content and embedded digital services.
__________________
35 OJ L 171,7.7.1999, p.12
Amendment     64 Proposal for a directive Recital 54 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(54a)  In the light of the importance of the issues and rights addressed in this Directive for the internal market and for consumers and citizens of the Union, this Directive should be subject to close scrutiny and review, to include meaningful and detailed consultation and involvement with Member States and consumer, legal and business organisations at Union level.
Amendment     65 Proposal for a directive Recital 55
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(55)  This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and specifically Article 16, 38 and 47 thereof.	(55)  This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter and specifically Articles 7, 8, 16, 38 and 47 thereof.
Amendment    66 Proposal for a directive Article -1 (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article -1
	Data protection
	This Directive is without prejudice to the rules on protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data as granted by or in compliance with, in particular, Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
Amendment    67 Proposal for a directive Article 1 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
This Directive lays down certain requirements concerning contracts for the supply of digital content to consumers, in particular rules on conformity of digital content with the contract, remedies in case of the lack of such conformity and the modalities for the exercise of those remedies as well as on modification and termination of such contracts.	The purpose of this Directive is, through the achievement of a high level of consumer protection, to contribute to the proper functioning of the internal market by laying down certain requirements concerning contracts for the supply of digital content or digital services between traders and consumers, in particular rules on conformity of digital content or digital services with the contract, remedies in case of failure to supply digital content or digital services or lack of conformity and the modalities for the exercise of those remedies as well as on modification of the digital content or digital service and termination of long-term contracts.
Amendment    68 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1.  “digital content” means	1.  “digital content” means data which is produced and supplied in digital form;
(a)   data which is produced and supplied in digital form, for example video, audio, applications, digital games and any other software,
(b)   a service allowing the creation, processing or storage of data in digital form, where such data is provided by the consumer, and
(c)   a service allowing sharing of and any other interaction with data in digital form provided by other users of the service;
Amendment    69 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	1a.  'digital service' means
	(a)   a service that allows the creation, processing or storage of data in digital form, where such data are uploaded or created by the consumer, or
	(b)   a service that allows the sharing of, and any other interaction with, data in digital form that has been uploaded or created by the consumer or by other users of the service, or both;
Amendment    70 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	1b.  ‘embedded digital content or digital service’ means digital content or a digital service pre-installed in a good;
Amendment    71 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2.  'integration' means linking together different components of a digital environment to act as a coordinated whole in conformity with its intended purpose;	2.  'integration' means linking and incorporating digital content or a digital service with the different components of the consumer’s digital environment in order for the digital content or digital service to be used in accordance with the contract;
Amendment    72 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3.  'supplier' means any natural or legal person, irrespective of whether privately or publicly owned, who is acting, including through any other person acting in his name or on his behalf, for purposes relating to that person’s trade, business, craft, or profession;	3.  'trader' means any natural or legal person, irrespective of whether privately or publicly owned, who is acting, including through any other person acting in his name or on his behalf, for purposes relating to that person’s trade, business, craft, or profession in relation to contracts covered by this Directive;
Amendment    73 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
5.  'damages' means a sum of money to which consumers may be entitled as compensation for economic damage to their digital environment;	5.  'damages' means a sum of money to which consumers may be entitled as compensation for detriment caused by a failure to supply the digital content or digital service or by a lack of conformity of the digital content or digital service with the contract;
Amendment    74 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
6.  'price' means money that is due in exchange for digital content supplied;	6.  'price' means money that is due in exchange for digital content or a digital service supplied;
Amendment     75 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
7.  'contract' means an agreement intended to give rise to obligations or other legal effects;	deleted
Amendment    76 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
8.  'digital environment' means hardware, digital content and any network connection to the extent that they are within the control of the user;	8.  'digital environment' means hardware, software and any network connection to the extent that it is within the control of the user and used by the consumer to access or make use of digital content or a digital service;
Amendment    77 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
9.  'interoperability' means the ability of digital content to perform all its functionalities in interaction with a concrete digital environment;	9.  ‘interoperability' means the ability of digital content or a digital service to perform all its functionalities in interaction with a concrete digital environment including by allowing consumers to access digital content or a digital service without having to use applications or other technologies to convert the digital content or digital service they want to have access to;
Amendment    78 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
10.  'supply' means providing access to digital content or making digital content available;	deleted
Amendment    79 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	11a.  ‘minor lack of conformity’ means a lack of conformity that does not impair the functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content or digital service, such as its accessibility, continuity and security, where required by Article 6 and point (a) of Article 6a(1) .
Amendment    80 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1.  This Directive shall apply to any contract where the supplier supplies digital content to the consumer or undertakes to do so and, in exchange, a price is to be paid or the consumer actively provides counter-performance other than money in the form of personal data or any other data.	1.  This Directive shall apply to any contract where the trader supplies or undertakes to supply digital content or a digital service to the consumer whether through the payment of a price or under the condition that personal data is provided by the consumer or collected by the trader or a third party in the interest of the trader.
Amendment    81 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2.  This Directive shall apply to any contract for the supply of digital product developed according to consumer's specifications.	2.  This Directive shall apply to any contract for the supply of digital content or digital services developed in accordance with the consumer's specifications.
Amendment    82 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3.  With the exception of Articles 5 and 11, this Directive shall apply to any durable medium incorporating digital content where the durable medium has been used exclusively as carrier of digital content.	3.  With the exception of Articles 5 and 11, this Directive shall apply to embedded digital content or embedded digital services. Unless otherwise provided, references to digital content or digital services in this Directive also cover embedded digital content or embedded digital services. As regards goods with embedded digital content or embedded digital services, the trader shall be liable under this Directive to the consumer for meeting his obligations only in respect of the embedded digital content or digital service. The rules of this Directive are without prejudice to the protection granted to consumers by the applicable Union law with respect to other elements of such goods.
Amendment    83 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
4.  This Directive shall not apply to digital content provided against counter-performance other than money to the extent the supplier requests the consumer to provide personal data the processing of which is strictly necessary for the performance of the contract or for meeting legal requirements and the supplier does not further process them in a way incompatible with this purpose. It shall equally not apply to any other data the supplier requests the consumer to provide for the purpose of ensuring that the digital content is in conformity with the contract or of meeting legal requirements, and the supplier does not use that data for commercial purposes.	4.  This Directive shall not apply where personal data provided by the consumer or collected by the trader is exclusively processed by the trader for supplying, maintaining the conformity of or improving this digital content or service or for the trader to comply with legal requirements to which the trader is subject, and the trader does not process this data for any other purpose.
Amendment    84 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(a)  services performed with a predominant element of human intervention by the supplier where the digital format is used mainly as a carrier;	(a)  services performed personally by the trader and where the digital means are only used for the purposes of access or delivery;
Amendment    85 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b)   electronic communication services as defined in Directive 2002/21/EC;	(b)  interpersonal communication services as defined in the European Electronic Communications Code, with the exception of number-independent interpersonal communication services to the extent that those are not regulated in the European Electronic Communications Code;
Amendment     86 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point e a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(ea)  the provision of digital content or digital services under a free or open licence insofar as no contractual relations or obligations exist in addition to those concerning the adherence to the terms of the licence;
Amendment     87 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	5a.  This Directive shall not apply to the provision of public registers established in electronic form and of excerpts from such registers.
Amendment    88 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 6
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
6.  Where a contract includes elements in addition to the supply of digital content, this Directive shall only apply to the obligations and remedies of the parties as supplier and consumer of the digital content.	6.  Where a contract for the supply of digital content or digital services includes additional contractual obligations, this Directive shall only apply to the rights and obligations of the parties in their respective capacities as trader and consumer of the digital content or digital service.
Amendment    89 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
7.  If any provision of this Directive conflicts with a provision of another Union act governing a specific sector or subject matter, the provision of that other Union act shall take precedence over this Directive.	7.  If any provision of this Directive conflicts with a provision of another Union act governing a specific sector or subject matter, the provision of that other Union act shall prevail and apply to that specific sector or subject matter.
Amendment    90 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
8.  This Directive is without prejudice to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data.	deleted
Amendment    91 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 9
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
9.  In so far as not regulated in this Directive, this Directive shall not affect national general contract laws such as rules on formation, the validity or effects of contracts, including the consequences of the termination of a contract.	9.  This Directive shall not affect national general contract laws such as rules on the formation, validity or effects of contracts, including the consequences of the termination of a contract, in so far as they are not regulated in this Directive. This Directive shall not affect national rules on remedies for ‘hidden defects’ or the short-term right to reject. Member States may maintain or introduce national rules on remedies for ‘hidden defects’. Member States may maintain national rules on the short-term right to reject where available in Member States’ legal orders on the date of entry into force of this Directive.
Amendment     92 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 9 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	9a.  Where, in the context of supplying digital content or digital services within the scope of this Directive, the law of Member State other than that of the consumer's permanent residence applies, the trader shall inform the consumer accordingly before entering into the contract.
Amendment     93 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 9 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	9b. This Directive does not affect intellectual property rights, and in particular, as regards the rights of the author, it does not affect the rights and obligations set out under Directive 2001/29/CE.
Amendment    94 Proposal for a directive Article 4 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Member States shall not maintain or introduce provisions diverging from those laid down in this Directive, including more or less stringent provisions to ensure a different level of consumer protection.	Member States shall not maintain or introduce, in their national law, provisions diverging from those laid down in this Directive, including more or less stringent provisions to ensure a different level of consumer protection, unless otherwise provided for in this Directive.
Amendment     95 Proposal for a directive Article 4 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 4a
	Information requirements
	Before the consumer is bound by a contract for the provision of digital content or a digital service, the trader shall give the consumer the information required under Articles 6 and 8 of Directive 2011/83/EU in a clear and comprehensible form.
Amendment    96 Proposal for a directive Article 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 5	Article 5
Supply of the digital content	Supply of the digital content or digital service
1.  When performing the contract for the supply of digital content, the supplier shall supply the digital content to	1.  The trader shall supply the digital content or digital service by making it available to the following persons, or by giving the following persons access to it:
(a)  the consumer; or	(a)  the consumer;
(b)  a third party which operates a physical or virtual facility making the digital content available to the consumer or allowing the consumer to access it and which has been chosen by the consumer for receiving the digital content.	(b)  a third party which operates a physical or virtual facility making the digital content or digital service available to the consumer or allowing the consumer to access it and which has been chosen by the consumer for receiving the digital content or digital service; or
	(ba)  any other party designated by the consumer.
2.  The supplier shall supply the digital content immediately after the conclusion of the contract, unless the parties have agreed otherwise. The supply shall be deemed to take place when the digital content is supplied to the consumer or, where point (b) of paragraph 1 applies, to the third party chosen by the consumer, whichever is the earlier.	2.  Unless the parties have agreed otherwise, the trader shall supply the digital content or digital service without undue delay after the conclusion of the contract. The trader shall be considered to have complied with his obligation to supply when the digital content or digital service is made available or is made accessible to the consumer or, where point (b) or (ba) of paragraph 1 applies, to the third party chosen by the consumer, whichever is applicable.
Amendment    97 Proposal for a directive Article 5 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 5a
	Conformity of the digital content or digital service with the contract
	In order to be in conformity with the contract, the digital content or digital service must meet the requirements of Articles 6, 6a, 7 and 8.
Amendment    98 Proposal for a directive Article 6
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 6	Article 6
Conformity of the digital content with the contract	Subjective requirements for conformity with the contract
1.  In order to conform with the contract, the digital content shall, where relevant:	1.  In order to conform with the contract, the digital content or digital service shall, where relevant:
(a)  be of the quantity, quality, duration and version and shall possess functionality, interoperability and other performance features such as accessibility, continuity and security, as required by the contract including in any pre-contractual information which forms integral part of the contract;	(a)  be of the quantity, quality, description, duration and version and shall possess functionality, interoperability and other performance features such as accessibility, continuity and security, as required by the contract including in any pre-contractual information, which forms integral part of the contract;
(b)  be fit for any particular purpose for which the consumer requires it and which the consumer made known to the supplier at the time of the conclusion of the contract and which the supplier accepted;	(b)  be fit for any particular purpose for which the consumer requires it and which the consumer made known to the trader at the latest at the time of the conclusion of the contract and which the trader accepted;
	(ba)  comply with the trial version or preview of the digital content or digital service, made available by the trader, unless the difference between the digital content or digital service supplied and the trial version or preview was brought to the consumer's attention before the contract was concluded;
(c)  be supplied along with any instructions and customer assistance as stipulated by the contract; and	(c)  be supplied along with all the accessories, any instructions, including on installation, and customer assistance as stipulated by the contract including in any pre-contractual information which forms an integral part of the contract; and
(d)  be updated as stipulated by the contract.	(d)  be updated as stipulated by the contract including in any pre-contractual information which forms integral part of the contract.
2.   To the extent that the contract does not stipulate, where relevant, in a clear and comprehensive manner, the requirements for the digital content under paragraph 1, the digital content shall be fit for the purposes for which digital content of the same description would normally be used including its functionality, interoperability and other performance features such as accessibility, continuity and security, taking into account:
(a)   whether the digital content is supplied in exchange for a price or other counter-performance than money;
(b)   where relevant, any existing international technical standards or, in the absence of such technical standards, applicable industry codes of conduct and good practices; and
(c)   any public statement made by or on behalf of the supplier or other persons in earlier links of the chain of transactions unless the supplier shows that
(i)   he was not, and could not reasonably have been, aware of the statement in question;
(ii)   by the time of conclusion of the contract the statement had been corrected;
(iii)   the decision to acquire the digital content could not have been influenced by the statement.
3.   Where the contract stipulates that the digital content shall be supplied over a period of time, the digital content shall be in conformity with the contract throughout the duration of that period.
4.   Unless otherwise agreed, digital content shall be supplied in conformity with the most recent version of the digital content which was available at the time of the conclusion of the contract.
5.   In order to conform with the contract the digital content must also meet the requirements of Articles 7 and 8.
Amendment    99 Proposal for a directive Article 6 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 6a
	Objective requirements for conformity with the contract
	1.   The digital content or digital service shall, where relevant:
	(a)   possess qualities and performance features, including in relation to functionality, interoperability, accessibility, continuity and security, which are usually found in digital content or digital services of the same type and which the consumer may reasonably expect, given the nature of the digital content or digital service, and comply with, where relevant, any existing international or European technical standards or, in the absence of such technical standards, applicable industry codes of conduct and good practices, including on the security of information systems and digital environments;
	(b)   be in line with any public statement made by or on behalf of the trader, the producer or his representative, particularly in advertising or on labelling unless the trader can show that:
	(i)   he was not and could not reasonably have been aware of the respective statement on the specifics of the digital content or digital service;
	(ii)   by the time of the conclusion of the contract the statement had been corrected in the same or a comparable way as it has been made; or
	(iii)   the decision to acquire the digital content or digital service could not have been influenced by the statement.
	2.   In the case of contracts where the digital content or digital service is to be supplied over a period of time, the digital content or digital service shall be in conformity with the contract throughout the duration of that period. Temporary interruptions to the supply of digital content or digital service which fall on the responsibility of the trader shall be treated as cases of non-conformity if they are significant, continuous and recurring.
	3.   Unless otherwise expressly agreed, digital content or digital services shall be supplied in conformity with the most recent version of the digital content or digital service which was available at the time of conclusion of the contract.
	4.   The trader shall ensure that during a reasonable period of time the consumer is supplied with and notified of updates, including security updates, to the digital content or a digital service that are necessary in order to keep the digital content or digital service into conformity with the contract. A consumer’s failure to install those updates within a reasonable period shall have no bearing on the conformity of the digital content or digital service with the contract. Where the consumer chooses to remain with his or her present version of the digital content or the digital service, and the new version is not necessary for the digital content or service to remain in conformity with the contract, that present version shall remain available or accessible within a reasonable timeframe.
	5.   In order to be in conformity with the contract, the digital content or digital service must also meet the requirements of Articles 7 and 8 of this Regulation, and, where relevant, the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
Amendment    100 Proposal for a directive Article 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 7	Article 7
Integration of the digital content	Integration of the digital content or digital service
Where the digital content is incorrectly integrated into the consumer's digital environment, any lack of conformity resulting from the incorrect integration shall be regarded as lack of conformity of the digital content if:	Where the digital content or digital service is incorrectly integrated into the consumer's digital environment, any lack of conformity resulting from the incorrect integration shall be regarded as lack of conformity with the contract of the digital content or digital service if:
(a)  the digital content was integrated by the supplier or under the supplier’s responsibility; or	(a)  the digital content or digital service was integrated by the trader or under the trader’s responsibility; or
(b)  the digital content was intended to be integrated by the consumer and the incorrect integration was due to shortcomings in the integration instructions where those instructions were supplied in accordance with point (c) of Article 6(1) or should have been supplied in accordance with Article 6(2).	(b)  the digital content or digital service was intended to be integrated by the consumer and the incorrect integration was due to shortcomings in the integration instructions where those instructions were supplied in accordance with point (c) of Article 6(1) or should have been supplied in accordance with Article 6a.
Amendment    101 Proposal for a directive Article 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 8	Article 8
Third party rights	Third party rights
1.  At the time the digital content is supplied to the consumer, the digital content shall be free of any right of a third party, including based on intellectual property, so that the digital content can be used in accordance with the contract.	1.  The digital content or digital service shall be free of any restriction resulting from any right of a third party, including any right based on intellectual property that might prevent the consumer from using the digital content or digital service in accordance with the contract.
2.  Where the digital content is supplied over a period of time, the supplier shall, for the duration of that period, keep the digital content supplied to the consumer free of any right of a third party, including that based on intellectual property, so that the digital content can be used in accordance with the contract.	2.  Where the digital content or digital service is supplied over a period of time, the trader shall, for the duration of that period, keep the digital content or digital service supplied to the consumer free of any restriction resulting from any right of a third party, including any right based on intellectual property that might prevent the consumer from using the digital content or digital service in accordance with the contract.
Amendment    102 Proposal for a directive Article 8 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 8a
	Any contract clause excluding, derogating from or varying the effects of Articles 6a, 7 and 8 to the detriment of the consumer shall be valid only if, at the time of conclusion of the contract, the consumer has been specially informed of the specific condition of the digital content or digital service and the consumer expressly accepted that specific condition when concluding the contract.
Amendment     103 Proposal for a directive Article 8 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 8b
	Commercial guarantees
	1.   Any commercial guarantee shall be binding on the guarantor under the conditions laid down in:
	(a)   pre-contractual information provided by the trader, including any pre-contractual statement which forms an integral part of the contract;
	(b)   advertising available at the time of or before the conclusion of the contract; and
	(c)   the guarantee statement.
	2.   The guarantee statement shall be made available in writing or in another durable medium and drafted in plain, intelligible language. It shall include the following:
	(a)   a clear statement of the legal rights of the consumer as provided for in this Directive and a clear statement that those rights are not affected by the commercial guarantee; and
	(b)   the terms of the commercial guarantee that go beyond the legal rights of the consumer, information about the duration, transferability, territorial scope and existence of any charges which the consumer might incur in order to benefit from the commercial guarantee, the name and address of the guarantor and, if different from the guarantor, the person against whom any claim is to be made and the procedure by which the claim is to be made.
Amendment    104 Proposal for a directive Article 9
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 9	Article 10
Burden of proof	Burden of proof
1.  The burden of proof with respect to the conformity with the contract at the time indicated in Article 10 shall be on the supplier.	1.  The burden of proving that a lack of conformity existed at the time specified in Article 9 shall be on the trader, when a lack of conformity with the contract becomes apparent during the following periods:
	(a)  within two years of the date of supply of the digital content or digital service;
	(b)  within one year of the date of delivery of the embedded digital content or digital service;
	(c)  within the duration of the contract, where the contract provides for continuous supply of digital content or digital service or delivery of embedded digital content or digital service over a period of time.
2.  Paragraph 1 shall not apply where the supplier shows that the digital environment of the consumer is not compatible with interoperability and other technical requirements of the digital content and where the supplier informed the consumer of such requirements before the conclusion of the contract.	2.  Paragraph 1 shall not apply where the trader shows that the digital environment of the consumer is not compatible with interoperability and other technical requirements of the digital content or digital service and where the trader informed the consumer of such requirements in a clear and comprehensible manner before the conclusion of the contract.
3.  The consumer shall cooperate with the supplier to the extent possible and necessary to determine the consumer's digital environment. The obligation to cooperate shall be limited to the technically available means which are the least intrusive for the consumer. Where the consumer fails to cooperate, the burden of proof with respect to the non-conformity with the contract shall be on the consumer.	3.  The consumer shall cooperate with the trader to the extent possible and necessary to ascertain the consumer's digital environment in order to establish whether the lack of conformity of the digital content or digital service existed at the time of supply. The obligation to cooperate shall be limited to the technically available means which are the least intrusive for the consumer. Only in exceptional and duly justified circumstances where there are no other means available, shall the consumer grant the trader upon request virtual access to the consumer's digital environment. Where the consumer fails to cooperate and where the trader informed the consumer of such requirement in a clear and comprehensible manner before the conclusion of the contract, the burden of proof with respect to the lack of conformity with the contract shall be on the consumer.
(Article 9 of the Commission proposal has become Article 10 in the Parliament’s amendment.)
Amendment    105 Proposal for a directive Article 10
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 10	Article 9
Liability of the supplier	Liability of the trader
The supplier shall be liable to the consumer for:	1.   The trader shall be liable to the consumer for:
(a)  any failure to supply the digital content;	(a)  any failure to supply the digital content or digital service in accordance with Article 5;
(b)  any lack of conformity which exists at the time the digital content is supplied; and	(b)  any lack of conformity of the digital content or digital service with the contract:
	(i)  which exists at the time of supply of the digital content or digital service and becomes apparent within two years from the time of supply, where the contract provides for a single act of supply or a series of individual acts of supply; or
	(ii)  which becomes apparent during the period of time mentioned in the contract, where the contract provides that the digital content or digital service is to be supplied over a period of time; and
(c)  where the contract provides that the digital content shall be supplied over a period of time, any lack of conformity which occurs during the duration of that period.	(c)  any lack of conformity with the contract of embedded digital content or an embedded digital service which exists at the time of delivery of the goods in which the digital content or digital service is embedded and becomes apparent within two years from the time of delivery.
	1a.   In respect of point (c) of paragraph 1, Member States may maintain more stringent provisions of national law that are already in force at the date of entry into force of this Directive.
(Article 10 of the Commission proposal has become Article 9 in the Parliament’s amendment.)
Amendment    106 Proposal for a directive Article 11
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 11	Article 11
Remedy for the failure to supply	Remedy for the failure to supply
Where the supplier has failed to supply the digital content in accordance with Article 5 the consumer shall be entitled to terminate the contract immediately under Article 13.	1.  Where the trader has failed to supply the digital content or digital service in accordance with Article 5, the consumer shall call upon the trader to supply the digital content or digital service. If the trader fails to supply the digital content or digital service without undue delay, or within an additional period of time as expressly agreed to by the parties, the consumer shall be entitled to terminate the contract.
	1a.  Paragraph 1 shall not apply:
	(a)  where the trader has refused to supply the digital content or digital services; or
	(b)  where supply within the agreed period is essential taking into account all the circumstances attending the conclusion of the contract or where the consumer informs the trader, prior to the conclusion of the contract, that supply by or on a specified date is essential.
	In those cases, if the trader fails to supply at the relevant time pursuant Article 5(2), the consumer shall be entitled to terminate the contract immediately.
	1b.   Where the consumer terminates the contract, Articles 13, 13a, 13b and 13c shall apply.
Amendment    107 Proposal for a directive Article 12
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 12	Article 12
Remedies for the lack of conformity with the contract	Remedies for the lack of conformity with the contract
	-1.  In the case of a lack of conformity with the contract, the consumer shall be entitled to have the digital content or digital service brought into conformity, or to receive a proportionate reduction in the price, or to terminate the contract under the conditions set out in this Article.
1.  In the case of a lack of conformity with the contract, the consumer shall be entitled to have the digital content brought into conformity with the contract free of charge, unless this is impossible, disproportionate or unlawful.	1.  In the first place, the consumer shall be entitled to have the digital content or digital service brought into conformity with the contract, unless this is impossible, disproportionate or unlawful.
Bringing the digital content into conformity with the contract shall be deemed to be disproportionate where the costs it imposes on the supplier are unreasonable. The following shall be taken into account when deciding whether the costs are unreasonable:	Bringing the digital content or digital service into conformity with the contract shall be deemed disproportionate in particular where the costs imposed on the trader are unreasonable. The following shall be taken into account when deciding whether the costs are unreasonable:
(a)  the value the digital content would have if it were in conformity with the contract; and	(a)  the value the digital content or digital service would have if it were in conformity with the contract; and
(b)  the significance of the lack of conformity with the contract for attaining the purpose for which the digital content of the same description would normally be used.	(b)  the significance of the lack of conformity with the contract for attaining the purpose for which the digital content or a digital service of the same description would normally be used.
2.  The supplier shall bring the digital content in conformity with the contract pursuant to paragraph 1 within a reasonable time from the time the supplier has been informed by the consumer about the lack of conformity with the contract and without any significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking account of the nature of digital content and the purpose for which the consumer required this digital content.	2.  The trader shall bring the digital content or digital service into conformity with the contract pursuant to paragraph 1 within a reasonable time from the time the trader has been informed by the consumer about the lack of conformity with the contract, free of charge and without any significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking account of the nature of the digital content or the digital service and the purpose for which the consumer required this digital content or digital service.
	The consumer shall be entitled to withhold the payment of any outstanding part of the price, or where the lack of conformity is minor, of an appropriate proportion thereof, until the trader has brought the digital content or digital service into conformity with the contract.
3.  The consumer shall be entitled to either a proportionate reduction of the price in the manner set out in paragraph 4 where the digital content is supplied in exchange for a payment of a price, or terminate the contract under paragraph 5 and Article 13, where	3.  The consumer shall be entitled to either a proportionate reduction of the price in the manner set out in paragraph 4 where the digital content or the digital service is supplied in exchange for a payment of a price, or may terminate the contract under paragraph 5 and Articles 13, 13a, 13b and 13c where:
(a)  the remedy to bring the digital content in conformity is impossible, disproportionate or unlawful;	(a)  the remedy to bring the digital content or digital service in conformity is impossible, disproportionate or unlawful, in accordance with paragraph 1;
(b)  the supplier has not completed the remedy within the time specified in paragraph 2;	(b)  the trader has not brought the digital content or digital service in conformity in accordance with paragraph 2;
	(ba)  a lack of conformity appears despite the trader’s attempt to bring the digital content or digital service in conformity; or
(c)  the remedy to bring the digital content in conformity would cause significant inconvenience to the consumer; or
(d)  the supplier has declared, or it is equally clear from the circumstances, that the supplier will not bring the digital content in conformity with the contract.	(d)  the trader has declared, or it is equally clear from the circumstances, that the trader will not bring the digital content or digital service in conformity with the contract within a reasonable time or without significant inconvenience for the consumer.
4.  The reduction in price shall be proportionate to the decrease in the value of the digital content which was received by the consumer compared to the value of the digital content that is in conformity with the contract.	4.  The consumer shall exercise the right to a proportionate reduction of the price by means of an unequivocal statement setting out his decision, notified to the trader. The reduction in price shall be proportionate to the decrease in the value of the digital content or digital service which was received by the consumer compared to the value that the digital content or digital service would have if it was in conformity with the contract.
	Where the contract stipulates that the digital content or digital service is to be supplied over a period of time in exchange of the payment of a price, and for a certain period the digital content or digital service did not conform to the contract, the price reduction shall apply to the period during which the digital content or digital service has not been in conformity with the contract.
5.  The consumer may terminate the contract only if the lack of conformity with the contract impairs functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content such as its accessibility, continuity and security where required by Article 6 paragraphs (1) and (2). The burden of proof that the lack of conformity with the contract does not impair functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content shall be on the supplier.	5.  The consumer may terminate the contract only if the lack of conformity with the contract is not minor. The burden of proof that the lack of conformity with the contract does not impair functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content or digital service shall be on the trader.
	5a.  The consumer shall not be entitled to a remedy to the extent that the consumer has contributed to the lack of conformity with the contract or to its effects.
Amendment     108 Proposal for a directive Article 12 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 12a
	Remedies for the lack of security
	In the case of a lack of security, the consumer shall be entitled to have the digital content or digital service brought into conformity with the contract free of charge.
Amendment    109 Proposal for a directive Article 13
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 13	Article 13
Termination	Exercise of the right to terminate
1.  The consumer shall exercise the right to terminate the contract by notice to the supplier given by any means.	The consumer shall exercise the right to terminate the contract by means of an unequivocal statement setting out his decision to terminate the contract, notified to the trader. Where contracts are concluded by digital means, the trader shall provide the consumer with an easy digital means to terminate the contract. The termination shall become effective 14 days after the notification, or on a later date indicated by the consumer.
2.   Where the consumer terminates the contract:
(a)  the supplier shall reimburse to the consumer the price paid without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from receipt of the notice;
(b)  the supplier shall take all measures which could be expected in order to refrain from the use of the counter-performance other than money which the consumer has provided in exchange for the digital content and any other data collected by the supplier in relation to the supply of the digital content including any content provided by the consumer with the exception of the content which has been generated jointly by the consumer and others who continue to make use of the content;
(c)  the supplier shall provide the consumer with technical means to retrieve all content provided by the consumer and any other data produced or generated through the consumer's use of the digital content to the extent that data has been retained by the supplier. The consumer shall be entitled to retrieve the content free of charge, without significant inconvenience, in reasonable time and in a commonly used data format;
(d)  where the digital content was not supplied on a durable medium, the consumer shall refrain from using the digital content or making it available to third parties, in particular by deleting the digital content or rendering it otherwise unintelligible;
(e)  where the digital content was supplied on a durable medium, the consumer shall:
(i)  upon the request of the supplier, return, at the supplier's expense, the durable medium to the supplier without undue delay, and in any event not later than 14 days from the receipt of the supplier's request; and
(ii)  delete any usable copy of the digital content, render it unintelligible or otherwise refrain from using it or making it available to third parties.
3.  Upon termination, the supplier may prevent any further use of the digital content by the consumer, in particular by making the digital content not accessible to the consumer or disabling the user account of the consumer, without prejudice to point (c) of paragraph 2.
4.  The consumer shall not be liable to pay for any use made of the digital content in the period prior to the termination of the contract.
5.  Where the digital content has been supplied in exchange for a payment of a price and over the period of time stipulated in the contract, the consumer may terminate the contract only in relation to that part of the period of time where the digital content has not been in conformity with the contract.
6.  Where the consumer terminates a part of the contract in accordance with paragraph 5, paragraph 2 shall apply, with the exception of point (b) in regards to the period during which the digital content was in conformity with the contract. The supplier shall reimburse to the consumer the part of the price paid corresponding to the period of time when the digital content was not in conformity with the contract.
Amendment    110 Proposal for a directive Article 13 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 13a
	Obligations of the trader in the event of termination
	1.  In the event of termination of the contract the trader shall reimburse to the consumer all sums paid under the contract.
	If the contract provides for the supply of digital content or a digital service in exchange for a payment of a price and over a period of time, where the consumer terminates a part of such contract in accordance with Article 12(5), the trader shall reimburse to the consumer the part of the price corresponding to the period of time during which the digital content or digital service was not in conformity with the contract and any part of the price paid by the consumer in advance for any remaining period of the contract had it not been terminated.
	2.  In respect of personal data of the consumer, the trader shall comply with the obligations applicable under Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
	3.  The trader shall make every effort that he could be expected to make to refrain from the use of any user-generated content to the extent that it does not constitute personal data, which was provided or created by the consumer when using the digital content or digital service supplied by the trader, with the exception of:
	(a)  the content that cannot be refrained from using without disproportionate and unreasonable effort because it has no utility outside the context of the digital content or digital service supplied by the trader;
	(b)  the content that cannot be refrained from using without disproportionate and unreasonable effort because it only relates to the consumer’s activity when using the digital content or digital service supplied by the trader;
	(c)  the content which has been generated jointly by the consumer and others, when other consumers can continue to make use of the content;
	(d)  the content that has been aggregated with other data by the trader and cannot be disaggregated or only with disproportionate efforts.
	4.  The trader shall, upon request by the consumer, make available to the consumer any user-generated content to the extent that it does not constitute personal data, which was provided or created by the consumer when using the digital content or digital service supplied by the trader. The consumer shall be entitled to retrieve the content free of charge, without significant inconvenience, in reasonable time and in a commonly used and machine-readable data format.
	The obligation to make available such user-generated content shall not apply in case the user-generated content:
	(a)  cannot be made available without disproportionate and unreasonable effort because it has no utility outside the context of the digital content or digital service supplied by the trader;
	(b)  cannot be made available without disproportionate and unreasonable effort because it only relates to the consumer’s activity when using the digital content or digital service supplied by the trader; or
	(c)   has been aggregated with other data by the trader and cannot be disaggregated or only with disproportionate efforts.
	5.  Upon termination, the trader may prevent any further use of the digital content or digital service by the consumer, in particular by rendering the digital content or digital service inaccessible to the consumer or disabling the user account of the consumer, without prejudice to paragraph 4.
Amendment    111 Proposal for a directive Article 13 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 13b
	Obligations of the consumer in the event of termination
	1.  After termination of the contract, the consumer shall refrain from using the digital content or digital service and from making it available to third parties, for instance by deleting the digital content or any usable copy or rendering the digital content or digital service otherwise inaccessible.
	2.  In the case of embedded digital content or an embedded digital service, the consumer shall, at the request of the trader, return, at the trader’s expense, the good in which the digital content or digital service is embedded to the trader without undue delay, and in any event not later than 14 days from the receipt of the trader’s request. If the trader decides to request the return of the good in which the digital content or digital service is embedded, that request shall be made within 14 days from the day on which the trader is informed of the consumer’s decision to terminate the contract.
	3.  The consumer shall not be liable to pay for any use made of the digital content or digital service in the period prior to the termination of the contract during which the digital content or the digital service was not in conformity.
Amendment    112 Proposal for a directive Article 13 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 13c
	Time limits and means of reimbursement by the trader
	1.  Any reimbursement to be done by the trader to the consumer pursuant to Article 12(4) or 13a(1) due to price reduction or termination of the contract shall be done without undue delay and in any event within 14 days from the day on which the trader is informed by means referred to in Articles 12 and 13 of the consumer’s decision to invoke his right for a price reduction or his right to terminate the contract.
	2.  The trader shall carry out the reimbursement using the same means of payment as the consumer used to pay for the digital content or digital service, unless the consumer expressly agrees otherwise.
	3.  The trader shall not impose any fee on the consumer in respect of the reimbursement.
Amendment    113 Proposal for a directive Article 14
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 14	Article 14
Right to damages	Right to damages
1.  The supplier shall be liable to the consumer for any economic damage to the digital environment of the consumer caused by a lack of conformity with the contract or a failure to supply the digital content. Damages shall put the consumer as nearly as possible into the position in which the consumer would have been if the digital content had been duly supplied and been in conformity with the contract.	Member States shall ensure that the consumer is entitled to claim compensation for the detriment caused by a failure to supply the digital content or digital service or a lack of conformity of the digital content or digital service with the contract.
2.  The Member States shall lay down detailed rules for the exercise of the right to damages.
Amendment    114 Proposal for a directive Article 15
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 15	Article 15
Modification of the digital content	Modification of the digital content or digital service
1.  Where the contract provides that the digital content shall be supplied over the period of time stipulated in the contract, the supplier may alter functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content such as its accessibility, continuity and security, to the extent those alternations adversely affect access to or use of the digital content by the consumer, only if:	1.  Where the contract provides that the digital content or the digital service is to be supplied or made accessible over a period of time stipulated in the contract, the trader may only alter the functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content or digital service beyond what is necessary to maintain in conformity the digital content or digital service in accordance with Article 6a if:
(a)  the contract so stipulates;	(a)  the contract allows for, and gives a valid reason for, such a modification;
	(aa)  such a modification can reasonably be expected by the consumer;
	(ab)  the modification is provided without additional cost to the consumer; and
(b)  the consumer is notified reasonably in advance of the modification by an explicit notice on a durable medium;	(b)  the trader notifies the consumer reasonably in advance in a clear and comprehensible manner and on a durable medium of the modification and, where applicable, of his right to terminate the contract under the conditions provided for in paragraph 1a;
(c)  the consumer is allowed to terminate the contract free of any charges within no less than 30 days from the receipt of the notice; and
(d)  upon termination of the contract in accordance with point (c), the consumer is provided with technical means to retrieve all content provided in accordance with Article 13(2)(c).
	1a.  The consumer shall be entitled to terminate the contract if the modification negatively impacts the access to or the use of the digital content or digital service by the consumer, unless such negative impact is only minor. In that case, the consumer shall be entitled to terminate the contract free of charge within 30 days after the receipt of the notice or from the time when the digital content or digital service is altered by the trader, whichever is later.
2.  Where the consumer terminates the contract in accordance with paragraph 1, where relevant,	2.  Where the consumer terminates the contract in accordance with paragraph 1a of this Article, Articles 13, 13a and 13b shall apply accordingly.
(a)  the supplier shall reimburse to the consumer the part of the price paid corresponding to the period of time after modification of the digital content;
(b)  the supplier shall refrain from the use of the counter-performance other than money which the consumer has provided in exchange for the digital content and any other data collected by the supplier in relation to the supply of the digital content including any content provided by the consumer.
Amendment    115 Proposal for a directive Article 16
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Article 16	Article 16
Right to terminate long term contracts	Right to terminate long term contracts
1.  Where the contract provides for the supply of the digital content for an indeterminate period or where the initial contract duration or any combination of renewal periods exceed 12 months, the consumer shall be entitled to terminate the contract any time after the expiration of the first 12 months period.	1.  Where the contract provides for the supply of the digital content or digital service for an initial fixed contract duration exceeding 12 months or where any combination of subsequent contracts or renewal periods exceeds 12 months from the moment of conclusion of the initial contract, the consumer shall be entitled to terminate the contract free of any additional charges any time after the expiration of the first 12 months period.
	1a.  Where the consumer terminates a fixed term contract and the contract duration or any combination of renewal periods exceeds 12 months, the trader shall be entitled to proportionate compensation for those advantages he has given to the consumer because of the contract duration exceeding 12 months.
	Before the consumer is bound by a contract, or any corresponding offer, the trader shall provide the consumer with information on the conditions for terminating a contract with a duration of more than 12 months in a clear and comprehensible manner, if that information is not already apparent from the context, and on the consequences of early termination in case an advantage had been granted to the consumer because of the duration of the contract.
2.  The consumer shall exercise the right to terminate the contract by notice to the supplier given by any means. The termination shall become effective 14 days after the receipt of the notice.	2.  The consumer shall exercise the right to terminate the contract by notice to the trader given by means of an unequivocal statement setting out his decision to terminate the contract. The termination shall become effective 14 days after the receipt of the notice, or at a later date indicated by the consumer.
3.  Where the digital content is supplied in exchange for a payment of a price, the consumer remains liable to pay the part of the price for the digital content supplied corresponding to the period of time before the termination becomes effective.	3.  Where the digital content or digital service is supplied in exchange for the payment of a price, the consumer remains liable to pay the part of the price for the digital content or digital service supplied corresponding to the period of time before the termination becomes effective.
4.  Where the consumer terminates the contract in accordance with this Article:	4.  When the consumer terminates the contract in accordance with this Article, the trader shall in respect of personal data comply with the obligations applicable under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC.
(a)  the supplier shall take all measures which could be expected in order to refrain from the use of other counter-performance than money which the consumer has provided in exchange for the digital content and any other data collected by the supplier in relation to the supply of the digital content including any content provided by the consumer;
(b)  the supplier shall provide the consumer with technical means to retrieve all any content provided by the consumer and any other data produced or generated through the consumer's use of the digital content to the extent this data has been retained by the supplier. The consumer shall be entitled to retrieve the content without significant inconvenience, in reasonable time and in a commonly used data format; and
(c)  where applicable, the consumer shall delete any usable copy of the digital content, render it unintelligible or otherwise refrain from using it including by making it available to a third party.	4a.  Where applicable, the consumer shall delete any usable copy of the digital content or digital service, render it unintelligible or otherwise refrain from using it including by making it available to a third party.
5.  Upon termination, the supplier may prevent any further use of the digital content by the consumer, in particular by making the digital content not accessible to the consumer or disabling the user account of the consumer, without prejudice to paragraph (4) point (b).	5.  Upon termination, the trader may prevent any further use of the digital content or digital service by the consumer, in particular by making the digital content or digital service not accessible to the consumer or disabling the user account of the consumer.
Amendment    116 Proposal for a directive Article 17 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Where the supplier is liable to the consumer because of any failure to supply the digital content or a lack of conformity with the contract resulting from an act or omission by a person in earlier links of the chain of transactions, the supplier shall be entitled to pursue remedies against the person or persons liable in the chain of transactions. The person against whom the supplier may pursue remedies and the relevant actions and conditions of exercise, shall be determined by national law.	Where the trader is liable to the consumer because of any failure to supply the digital content or digital service or because of a lack of conformity with the contract resulting from an act or omission by a person in previous links of the chain of transactions, the trader shall be entitled to pursue remedies against the person or persons liable in the chain of financial transactions. The person against whom the trader may pursue remedies and the relevant actions and conditions of exercise, shall be determined by national law.
Amendment    117 Proposal for a directive Article 18 – title
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Enforcement	Enforcement and information
Amendment    118 Proposal for a directive Article 18 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1.  Member States shall ensure that adequate and effective means exist to ensure compliance with this Directive.	1.  Member States shall ensure that adequate, effective and dissuasive means exist to ensure compliance with this Directive, taking account in particular of the need for consumers to be informed about, and enabled to enforce, their rights in practice.
Amendment    119 Proposal for a directive Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(ca)  not-for-profit bodies, organisations or associations, active in the field of the protection of data subjects' rights as defined in Article 80 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
Amendment  120 Proposal for a directive Article 20 – Title
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Amendments to Directive 1999/44/EC, Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004, Directive 200922/EC	Amendments to Directive 1993/13/EEC, Directive 1999/44/EC, Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004, Directive 200922/EC
Amendment    121 Proposal for a directive Article 20 – point -1 (new) Directive 93/13/EEC Annex – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   -1.  In the Annex to Directive 93/13/EEC, the following points are added in paragraph 1:   "(qa)  enabling the trader to unduly limit the interoperability of digital content or a digital service with hardware and other digital content or digital services;   (qb)  requiring the consumer to conclude an additional contract for the supply of digital content or a digital service or a contract pertaining to hardware with the trader or a third party;   (qc)  circumventing by contractual means the rights of the data subject under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 governing the protection of consumers' personal data;   (qd)  enable the trader to limit the usability of the digital content when the consumer is offline where this is not strictly necessary for the provision of the digital content;   (qe)  restrict uses of digital content permitted under Directive 2001/29/EC, Directive 96/9/EC, Directive 2009/24/EC or Directive 2012/28/EU.”
Amendment    122 Proposal for a directive Article 20 – point 1 Directive 1999/44/EC Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment "(b)   consumer goods: shall mean any tangible movable item, with the exception of: "(b)   consumer goods: shall mean any tangible movable item, with the exception of: –   goods sold by way of execution or otherwise by authority of law, –   goods sold by way of execution or otherwise by authority of law, –  water and gas where they are not put up for sale in a limited volume or set quantity, –  water and gas where they are not put up for sale in a limited volume or set quantity, –  electricity, –  electricity, –  a durable medium incorporating digital content where it has been used exclusively as carrier of the digital content to the consumer as referred to in Directive (EU) N/XXX39." –  embedded digital content or digital services, covered by Directive (EU) N/XXX39." ______________ ______________ 39 Directive (EU) N/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council of ... on contracts for the supply of digital content (OJ...) 39 Directive (EU) N/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council of ... on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services (OJ...)
Amendment    123 Proposal for a directive Article 20 – point 2 Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 Annex – point 21
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment "21.   Directive (EU) N/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council of XX/XX/201X on contracts for the supply of digital content (OJ…)" "21a.   Directive (EU) N/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council of XX/XX/201X on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services (OJ…)"
Amendment    124 Proposal for a directive Article 20 – point 3 Directive 2009/22/EC Annex I – point 16
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment "16.  Directive (EU) N/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council of XX/XX/201X on contracts for the supply of digital content (OJ…)" "15a.  Directive (EU) N/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council of XX/XX/201X on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services (OJ…)"
Amendment    125 Proposal for a directive Article 22 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Commission shall, not later than on [the date of five years after entry into force] review the application of this Directive and submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council. The report shall examine, inter alia, the case for harmonisation of rules applicable to contracts for the supply of digital content against counter-performance other than that covered by this Directive, in particular supplied against advertisement or indirect collection of data.	The Commission shall, not later than on ... [five years after the date of entry into force of this Directive] review the application of this Directive and submit a report to the European Parliament, to the Council and to the European Economic and Social Committee. The review process shall include consultation of the Member States and of consumer, legal and business organisations at Union level. The report shall examine, inter alia, interaction and compliance with the application of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the case for harmonisation of rules applicable to contracts for the supply of digital content or digital services against collection of personal data by the trader other than that covered by this Directive, in particular supplied against advertisement.

• [1]  OJ C 264, 20.7.2016, p. 57.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

I. Introduction

Following the discarded Common European Sales Law proposal, the Commission has made a new attempt to address internal market problems created by diverging national contract rules, or the absence thereof, to the benefit of both businesses and consumers, by tabling two proposals on digital contracts: a proposal for a directive on certain aspects concerning contracts for the online and other distance sales of goods and this proposal for a directive on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content. The Commission’s proposal on contract rules for the supply of digital content provides for the first time the opportunity to touch upon an issue that has only started to develop in the legislation of some Member States and has not been harmonised yet at EU level: consumer remedies in case of non-conformity of digital content supplied.

Following the presentation of a joint Working Document in July 2016, the co-rapporteurs present in this draft report their joint amendments to the Commission´s proposal. Overall, the co-rapporteurs confirm the Commission´s approach to focus on certain aspects of contract law for the supply of digital content such as conformity and remedies, and be limited to business-to-consumer contracts.

The draft report presents some of the issues that the two co-rapporteurs consider as worth putting to further discussion but they reserve the right to come back with additional amendments and proposals on topics that have not been included in the report. This explanatory statement highlights the main changes proposed in the draft report in the form of amendments and the rationale behind them.

II. Main issues dealt with in the draft report

1. Clarification of the text and coherence with the acquis

The co-rapporteurs agree with the Commission that the directive should cover not only digital content as defined in the Directive on Consumer Rights but also services, such as cloud storage or file hosting service, social media, instant messaging services, video or audio sharing websites or platforms. This would make the directive future-proof vis-à-vis further technical developments. For the sake of consistency with the definition of “digital content” under the Consumer Rights Directive, they consider, however, that it would be more appropriate not to extend the definition of digital content to such services, but rather to create a category of “digital services” in order to make a clear distinction between digital content - data which is produced and supplied in digital form - and digital services. The co-rapporteurs specify that this should not affect the ability for Member States to determine the nature of the contracts, i.e. whether the contract for the supply of digital content is to be considered as a sales, services, rental or a sui generis contract.

2. Scope

The co-rapporteurs consider that the Commission’s proposal to exclude from the scope of the directive digital content integrated in goods, such as smart products, will make it difficult to distinguish between the scope of this proposal and the proposal on certain aspects concerning contracts for the online and other distance sales of goods. The rules applicable to digital content would be different depending on whether it is embedded in a good or supplied separately, a distinction that is not always easy to make, for instance in the case of smartphones with pre-installed apps versus apps installed by the consumer. This would make it difficult for consumers and businesses to determine the applicable rule when the product is defective or otherwise not in conformity with the contract (should it be considered as a tangible good or as digital content?). Having considered different approaches, the co-rapporteurs take the view that the directive should be applicable also to embedded digital content and embedded digital, whereas as regards goods with embedded digital content or embedded digital services, the trader shall be liable under this Directive to the consumer for meeting his obligations only in respect of the embedded digital content or digital service. As one cannot over-estimate the importance of IoT products in the near future, smart goods will dominate the market. Consumers, who buy these products shall benefit from rights introduced through this directive, such as updates, interoperability, a secure digital environment and the right to recover their data upon termination.

To reduce further the possible impact of delineation problems between the scopes of application of the digital contract proposals, the co-rapporteurs have agreed with the rapporteur on the proposal on the sale of goods to attempt to align the conformity criteria of both legal regimes as much as possible.

3. Data as counter-performance and data protection issues

The Commission’s proposal introduces the notion of counter-performance other than a price paid and foresees the obligation for traders to remedy for the failure to supply the digital content or digital service or for their lack of conformity with the contract also in cases where the counter performance is the provision of data.

Overall, the co-rapporteurs reluctantly agree with the notion of data as a counter performance. They believe that this Directive should, in no way, exacerbate the already existing phenomenon of commercialisation or monetisation of personality rights. Therefore, the scope encompasses situations when the traders supplies digital content or digital services in exchange for a price or exploitation rights on personal data of the consumer.

The report also goes further than the Commission’s proposal, extending the scope to data that is collected by the trader, and does not limit it to data actively provided by the consumers, in order to avoid the creation of loopholes. Concerning the proposed exclusion from the scope of the directive of those contracts where the processing of data by the supplier is strictly necessary to perform the contract or to meet legal requirements, the co-rapporteurs also favour a limitation: the directive shall not apply where personal data or other data provided by the consumer are exclusively used by the supplier to supply the digital content or service or to meet legal requirements to which the supplier is subject and the supplier does not process the personal data or other data for any other purpose.

When it comes to data protection, the co-rapporteurs believe that the directive should be in coherence with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore clarify that the directive is without prejudice to this Regulation. In addition, they consider it necessary to guarantee that a contract term that concerns the processing of personal data in the context of the conclusion or performance of the contract and that is detrimental to the consumer as a data subject under the GDPR does not bind the consumer.

4. Supply of the digital content or the digital service

The co-rapporteurs clarify the constitutive elements of the supply, including its definition and the time of the supply, taking into account the modifications of the scope of the directive. As a result, the supplier should have to supply with undue delay after the conclusion of the contract.

5. Conformity with the contract

Regarding the requirements for conformity with the contract, contrary to the Commission’s view, the co-rapporteurs consider that the conformity should not be assessed first and foremost vis-à-vis what is stipulated in the contract and propose the conformity to be assessed through both objective and subjective criteria. However, the co-rapporteurs consider that the parties could agree to exclude, derogate from or vary the effects of the objective requirements to the detriment of the consumer under certain conditions, including express acceptance by the consumer.

6. Modification of the digital content

One of the main changes introduced by the co-rapporteurs when it comes to digital content or service supplied over a period of time is that, as a rule, the supplier may not alter the functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content or digital service to the extent that those alternations adversely affect access to or use of the digital service by the consumer. However, the draft report maintains the exceptions to the rule and includes some additional guarantees to the benefit of the consumer.

7. Reference to national law

The co-rapporteurs propose that the directive should not affect national laws when it comes to the conditions under which a contract is considered to be linked with or is ancillary to another contract and the effect this has on either contract or on the remedies to be exercised under either contract.

III. Conclusion

The co-rapporteurs propose a number of changes to the Commission’s proposal as a starting point for further reflection and modifications to be made along the legislative process in Parliament.

OPINION of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (21.11.2016)

for the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection and the Committee on Legal Affairs

on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content
(COM(2015)0634 – C8‑0394/2015 – 2015/0287(COD))

Rapporteur: Marju Lauristin

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

The digital revolution is profoundly impacting our society. As our reliance on IT-products and -services grows, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that our rights are upheld in the digital world. Currently, while on a daily basis millions of European consumers access, purchase or use digital content in the broad sense of the word (e.g. video streaming, apps, games, cloud services or social networks), their rights online are not protected as they are in the offline world. This situation erodes consumer confidence and endangers online privacy since faulty or insecure digital products and services will not properly protect the vast amount of our personal data that is available online.

Your Rapporteur aims to increasing consumer confidence and online privacy by ensuring adequate protection for the purchase of digital content. Scope and definition of digital content have to be further clarified to ensure that all consumers - also those that are less tech-savvy or less technically intimate with the online environment - have their rights guaranteed. The online world - and thus the use of digital content - has become much more than simply a way for us to perform specific tasks. Our personal photos, address books and medical information are usually in the cloud. Many of our intimate conversations take place and are often stored online. And in our online activities we leave so many digital traces behind that companies can draw a surprisingly intimate portrait of us. It is therefore clear that in the online environment the protection of our personal data is even more pressing than in the offline world. This proposal, while focussing on the relation between supplier and consumer of digital content, is therefore inextricably linked to the issue of the protection of our personal data online. It is therefore important to ensure that this Directive should comply with the general rules of the new General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679) in order to ensure consistency in citizens’ fundamental right to privacy and strengthen the trust of consumers in the supply of safe and secure digital content.

Your rapporteur would like to further strengthen and clarify the proposal on the following points. For these points it is important to keep in mind that this proposal aims at full harmonization, which prohibits Member States from maintaining or introducing national rules that will go further than this Directive in terms of consumer protection:

•  Active provision by consumer of personal data: the proposal only covers types of contracts whereby the consumer either pays or "actively provides" personal data as counter-performance. This seems to be too limited, as often nowadays consumers' personal data (such as location data, personal contacts, shopping history etc) are being used in a form of counter-performance while consumers are unaware of it. Furthermore, this limitation could create a perverse incentive for suppliers to not ask for the consumer's consent. It might therefore be advisable to broaden this provision in such a way as to include all contracts for the supply of digital content involving the use of the consumer's personal data.

•  A definition of personal data, based on Regulation 2016/679 has to be added, to ensure a clear differentiating line between personal data and any other data mentioned throughout the text.

•  Conformity of digital content: the proposal stipulates that digital content should be in conformity with what was stipulated in the contract and only if nothing has been stipulated in the contract more objective criteria (like technical standards or industry codes of conducts) could be used to assess its conformity. However, one could wonder if, in the light of the complexity of digital content products, the consumer is really able to fully grasp the terms and conditions of the contract and to make an informed decision. It might therefore be advisable to use more often objective and subjective criteria (such as technical standards or legitimate expectations) to ascertain conformity;

•  Suppliers' liability for damages: the proposal limits the supplier's liability to only the damages done to the hardware and software of the consumer. However, there might be cases where a consumer suffers serious economic or immaterial loss quite apart from any damage to its digital environment (for example if software contains a bug that allows hackers to gain access to a consumer's computer and steal his password for his bank account). It might therefore be advisable to broaden the scope for damages to include all damage done to the consumer. Furthermore, it might be interesting to allow Member States, in setting the detailed rules on damages, to make a differentiation between those suppliers that did everything in their power to limit the possibility of damages (e.g. by compliance to a certain IT security baseline or standards) and those that did not have "their house in order" (e.g. did not fix security vulnerabilities in their products/services that were known or reported to them) in order to encourage a stronger sense of responsibility and accountability among suppliers.

•  Termination of the contract: the proposal should be clear what exact data have to be given back to the consumer when the contract is terminated.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs calls on the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection and the Committee on Legal Affairs, as the committees responsible, to take into account the following amendments:

Amendment     1 Proposal for a directive Recital 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(2)  For the achievement of a genuine digital single market, the harmonisation of certain aspects concerning contracts for supply of digital content, taking as a base a high level of consumer protection, is necessary.	(2)  For the achievement of a genuine digital single market, the harmonisation of certain aspects concerning contracts for supply of digital content, taking as a base a high level of consumer protection and the need to improve accessibility, is necessary.
Amendment     2 Proposal for a directive Recital 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(7)  Consumers will benefit from fully harmonised rights for digital content at a high level of protection. They will have clear rights when they receive or access digital content from anywhere in the EU. This will increase their confidence in buying digital content. This will also contribute to reducing the detriment consumers currently suffer, since there will be a set of clear rights that will enable them to address problems they face with digital content.	(7)  Consumers will benefit from fully harmonised rights for digital content at a high level of protection. They will have clear rights when they receive or access digital content from anywhere in the EU. This will increase their confidence in buying digital content. This will also contribute to reducing the detriment consumers currently suffer, since there will be a set of clear rights that will enable them to address problems they face with digital content and its accessibility.
Amendment    3 Proposal for a directive Recital 11
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (11)  The Directive should address problems across different categories of digital content and its supply. In order to cater for fast technological developments and to maintain the future-proof nature of the notion of digital content, this notion as used in this Directive should be broader than in Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council1. In particular it should cover services which allow the creation, processing or storage of data. While there are numerous ways for digital content to be supplied, such as transmission on a durable medium, downloading by consumers on their devices, web-streaming, allowing access to storage capabilities of digital content or access to the use of social media, this Directive should apply to all digital content independently of the medium used for its transmission. Differentiating between different categories in this technologically fast changing market is not desirable because it would hardly be possible to avoid discriminations between suppliers. A level-playing field between suppliers of different categories of digital content should be ensured. However this Directive should not apply to digital content which is embedded in goods in such a way that it operates as an integral part of the goods and its functions are subordinate to the main functionalities of the goods. (11)  This Directive should address problems across different categories of digital content and its supply. In order to cater for fast technological developments and to maintain the future-proof nature of the notion of digital content, this notion as used in this Directive should be broader than in Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council1. In particular it should cover services which allow the creation, processing or storage of data. While there are numerous ways for digital content to be supplied, such as transmission on a durable medium, downloading by consumers on their devices, web-streaming, allowing access to storage capabilities of digital content or access to the use of social media, this Directive should apply to all digital content independently of the medium used for its transmission. Differentiating between different categories in this technologically fast changing market is not desirable because it would hardly be possible to avoid discriminations between suppliers. A level-playing field between suppliers of different categories of digital content should be ensured. __________ __________ 1. OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p.64. 1. OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p.64.
Justification
Given the expected increase in the near future of the Internet of Things with all types of "smart devices" with embedded software incorporated, it is important to clarify under what rules such "smart devices" and its embedded software fall. In the future it will probably become rather difficult to differentiate what would be the predominant element of the product between the digital content and the tangible good. Therefore, the chosen exemption seems unworkable in practice and a separate Commission proposal on this issue would be preferable.
Amendment    4 Proposal for a directive Recital 14
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (14)  As regards digital content supplied not in exchange for a price but against counter-performance other than money, this Directive should apply only to contracts where the supplier requests and the consumer actively provides data, such as name and e-mail address or photos, directly or indirectly to the supplier for example through individual registration or on the basis of a contract which allows access to consumers' photos. This Directive should not apply to situations where the supplier collects data necessary for the digital content to function in conformity with the contract, for example geographical location where necessary for a mobile application to function properly, or for the sole purpose of meeting legal requirements, for instance where the registration of the consumer is required for security and identification purposes by applicable laws. This Directive should also not apply to situations where the supplier collects information, including personal data, such as the IP address, or other automatically generated information such as information collected and transmitted by a cookie, without the consumer actively supplying it, even if the consumer accepts the cookie. It should also not apply to situations where the consumer is exposed to advertisements exclusively in order to gain access to digital content. (14)  As regards digital content supplied not in exchange for a price but against counter-performance other than money, this Directive should also apply to contracts where the consumer provides personal data or any other data that may be used directly or indirectly by the supplier.This should also include contracts in which the consumer allows access to, and processing of his or her personal data by the supplier. This Directive should not apply to situations where the supplier collects data that are exclusively used by the supplier in order for the digital content to function, including software updating, in conformity with the contract, for example geographical location where necessary for a mobile application to function properly, or for the sole purpose of meeting legal requirements, for instance where the registration of the consumer is required for security and identification purposes by applicable laws.
Amendment     5 Proposal for a directive Recital 17
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(17)  Digital content is highly relevant in the context of the Internet of Things. However it is opportune to address specific issues of liability related to the Internet of Things, including the liability for data and machine-to-machine contracts, in a separate way.	deleted
Amendment     6 Proposal for a directive Recital 18
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(18)  Contracts may include general terms and conditions of the supplier that need to be accepted by the consumer. For some digital content, suppliers often describe the service and measurable service targets in a service level agreement. These service level agreements are generally appended to the main contract and form an important component of the contractual relationship between the supplier and the consumer. They should be covered by the definition of a contract under this Directive, and should thus comply with the rules laid down therein.	(18)  Contracts may include general terms and conditions of the supplier that need to be accepted by the consumer. For some digital content, suppliers often describe the service and measurable service targets in a service level agreement. These service level agreements are generally appended to the main contract and form an important component of the contractual relationship between the supplier and the consumer. They should be covered by the definition of a contract under this Directive, and should thus comply with the rules laid down therein. In cases where consent to the processing of personal data is given as a counter-performance other than money, the contract should contain the information about the processing prescribed by Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council1, but that information should be clearly distinguishable from other elements of the contract. In addition, easily understandable icons should illustrate the main elements of the processing of personal data.
	_________________________________ 1 Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) )OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).
Amendment    7 Proposal for a directive Recital 22
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (22)  The protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data is governed by Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council1 and by Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council2 which are fully applicable in the context of contracts for the supply of digital content. Those Directives already establish a legal framework in the field of personal data in the Union. The implementation and application of this Directive should be made in full compliance with that legal framework. (22)  The pursuit of activities falling within the scope of this Directive involves the processing of personal data. This Directive is without prejudice to the rules of Union law applicable to the processing of personal data within the Union, in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council2, which govern the processing of personal data carried out in the Member States under the supervision of the Member States' competent authorities, in particular the public independent authorities designated by the Member States. Those legal acts already establish a legal framework in the field of personal data in the Union and are fully applicable in the context of contracts for the supply of digital content. The implementation and application of this Directive should be made in full compliance with that legal framework. __________ __________ 1. OJ L 281, 23/11/1995, p. 31 - 50) [to be replaced by the General Data Protection Regulation, once adopted].   2. OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37–47. 2. OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37–47.
Justification
It is important to ensure that the processing of personal data which is conducted for the provision of digital content fully complies with EU data protection legislation, including the new General Data Protection Regulation, which is of a horizontal nature.
Amendment    8 Proposal for a directive Recital 25
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (25)  In cases where the contract does not stipulate sufficiently clear and comprehensive benchmarks to ascertain the conformity of the digital content with the contract, it is necessary to set objective conformity criteria to ensure that consumers are not deprived of their rights. In such cases the conformity with the contract should be assessed considering the purpose for which digital content of the same description would normally be used. (25)  In cases where the contract does not stipulate sufficiently clear and comprehensive benchmarks, adjusted to the consumers at whom it is targeted, to ascertain the conformity of the digital content with the contract, it is necessary to set conformity criteria to ensure that consumers sufficiently comprehend, and are not deprived of their rights. In such cases, the conformity with the contract should be assessed considering the purpose for which digital content of the same description would normally be used, available technical standards, and consumers' reasonable expectations.
Amendment    9 Proposal for a directive Recital 27
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (27)  While data-driven services and technologies bring significant benefits, they also create some vulnerabilities. As recognised by the Digital Single Market Strategy a high level of network and information security is essential across the European Union to ensure respect of fundamental rights such as the right to privacy and personal data, to increase user confidence and strengthen their trust in the digital economy. As software becomes pervasive, qualities such as reliability, security and adaptability to evolving needs are also becoming a prime concern. It is therefore increasingly important that those data-driven services and technologies ensure that those qualities are guaranteed, to the extent that is proportionate to the role and function those technologies play. In particular, quality in terms of security and reliability is becoming an important concern for innovative, composite services that have to rely on the interconnection of diverse systems in different domains. (27)  While data-driven services and technologies bring significant benefits, they also create some vulnerabilities. As recognised by the Digital Single Market Strategy, a high level of network and information security is essential across the European Union to ensure respect of fundamental rights, such as the right to the protection of online privacy and personal data, to increase user confidence and strengthen their trust in the digital economy. As software becomes pervasive, qualities such as reliability, security and adaptability to evolving needs are also becoming a prime concern. It is therefore increasingly important that those data-driven services and technologies ensure that those qualities are guaranteed to the greatest possible extent. In particular, quality in terms of security and reliability is becoming an important concern for innovative, composite services that have to rely on the interconnection of diverse systems in different domains.
Amendment     10 Proposal for a directive Recital 37
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(37)  As a second step, the consumer should be entitled to have the price reduced or the contract terminated. The right of a consumer to have the contract terminated should be limited to those cases where for instance bringing the digital content to conformity is not possible and the non-conformity impairs the main performance features of the digital content. Where the consumer terminates the contract, the supplier should reimburse the price paid by the consumer or, where the digital content is supplied not in exchange for a price but against access to data provided by the consumer, the supplier should refrain from using it, from transferring that data to third parties or allowing third parties to access it after termination of the contract. Fulfilling the obligation to refrain from using data should mean in the case when the counter-performance consists of personal data, that the supplier should take all measures in order to comply with data protection rules by deleting it or rendering it anonymous in such a way that the consumer cannot be identified by any means likely reasonably to be used either by the supplier or by any other person. Without prejudice to obligations of a controller under Directive 95/46/EC the supplier should not be obliged to undertake any further steps in relation to data which the supplier has lawfully provided to third parties in the course of the duration of the contract for the supply of the digital content.	(37)  As a second step, the consumer should be entitled to have the price reduced or the contract terminated. The right of a consumer to have the contract terminated should be limited to those cases where, for instance, bringing the digital content into conformity is not possible and the non-conformity impairs the main performance features of the digital content. Where the consumer terminates the contract, the supplier should reimburse the price paid by the consumer or, where the digital content is supplied not in exchange for a price but against access to data provided by the consumer as a counter-performance for the digital content supplied or data produced by the consumer during the duration of the contract, the supplier should refrain from using it, from transferring that data to third parties or allowing third parties to access it after termination of the contract. Fulfilling the obligation to refrain from using data should mean, in the case when the counter-performance consists of personal data, that the supplier should take all measures in order to comply with data protection rules by deleting it or rendering it anonymous in such a way that the consumer cannot be identified by any means likely reasonably to be used either by the supplier or by any other person. If personal data protection techniques, such as pseudonimisation, as prescribed in Regulation (EU) 2016/679, are used by the supplier, only after the request made by the consumer, the supplier should refrain from using these data. Without prejudice to obligations of a controller under Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the supplier should not be obliged to undertake any further steps in relation to data which the supplier has lawfully provided to third parties in the course of the duration of the contract for the supply of the digital content.
Amendment     11 Proposal for a directive Recital 38
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(38)  Upon termination the supplier should also refrain from using the content generated by the consumer. However, in those cases where more than one consumer generated particular content, the supplier is entitled to continue to use the content generated by the consumer where those other consumers make use of it.	(38)  Upon termination, the supplier should also refrain from using the content produced by the consumer. However, in those cases where more than one consumer produced particular content, the supplier is entitled to continue to use the content produced by the consumer where those other consumers make use of it.
Amendment     12 Proposal for a directive Recital 39
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(39)  In order to ensure that the consumer benefits from effective protection in relation to the right to terminate the contract, the supplier should allow the consumer to retrieve all data uploaded by the consumer, produced by the consumer with the use of the digital content or generated through the consumer's use of the digital content. This obligation should extend to data which the supplier is obliged to retain under the contract for the supply of the digital content as well as to data which the supplier has effectively retained in relation to the contract.	(39)  In order to ensure that the consumer benefits from effective protection in relation to the right to terminate the contract, the supplier, upon request by the consumer, should allow the consumer to retrieve all data uploaded by the consumer or produced by the consumer with the use of the digital content. This obligation should extend to data which the supplier is obliged to retain under the contract for the supply of the digital content as well as to data which the supplier has effectively retained in relation to the contract.
Amendment    13 Proposal for a directive Recital 44
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (44)  The principle of the supplier's liability for damages is an essential element of the contracts for supply of digital content. In order to increase consumers' trust in digital content this principle should thus be regulated at Union level to ensure that consumers do not suffer a detriment if their hardware or software is damaged by digital content which is not in conformity with the contract. Therefore, consumers should be entitled to a compensation for damages caused to the consumer's digital environment by a lack of conformity with the contract or a failure to supply the digital content. However, it should be for Member States to lay down the detailed conditions for the exercise of the right to damages while taking into account that discounts on prices for future supplies of the digital content, especially when offered by suppliers as an exclusive compensation for losses, do not necessarily put the consumer as nearly as possible into the position in which the consumer would have been if the digital content had been duly supplied and been in conformity with the contract. (44)  The principle of the supplier's liability for damages is an essential element of contracts for supply of digital content. In order to increase consumers' trust in digital content, this principle should thus be regulated at Union level to ensure that consumers do not suffer a detriment if they sustain damage by digital content which is not in conformity with the contract. Therefore, consumers should be entitled to a compensation for damages caused to the consumer by a lack of conformity with the contract or a failure to supply the digital content. However, it should be for Member States to lay down the detailed conditions for the exercise of the right to damages while taking into account that discounts on prices for future supplies of the digital content, especially when offered by suppliers as an exclusive compensation for losses, do not necessarily put the consumer as nearly as possible into the position in which the consumer would have been if the digital content had been duly supplied and been in conformity with the contract. It should be possible for Member States, when laying down the rules in that regard, to provide for a reduced or increased degree of liability for damages in order to differentiate between suppliers that have done everything in their power to limit the possibility of damage, for example by observing industry codes of best practice, security baselines or international standards, and those that have been negligent in this respect.
Justification
The proposal limits the supplier's liability to economic damages suffered by the hardware and software of the consumer. This is too limited since there might be cases where a consumer suffers serious economic or immaterial loss quite apart from any damage to its digital environment. Furthermore, in order to encourage a stronger sense of responsibility and accountability among suppliers, Member States should be allowed, in setting the detailed rules on damages, to make a differentiation between those suppliers that did everything in their power to limit the possibility of damages and those that did not.
Amendment     14 Proposal for a directive Recital 55
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(55)  This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and specifically Article 16, 38 and 47 thereof.	(55)  This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and specifically Articles 7, 8, 16, 38 and 47 thereof.
Amendment    15 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – point 1 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (a)  data which is produced and supplied in digital form, for example video, audio, applications, digital games and any other software, (a)  data which are produced and supplied in digital form, including video, audio, applications, digital games and any other software,
Amendment    16 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – point 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   1a.   'personal data' means personal data as defined by point (1) of Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679;
Amendment    17 Proposal for a directive Article 2 – point 5
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 5.  'damages' means a sum of money to which consumers may be entitled as compensation for economic damage to their digital environment; 5.  'damages' means a sum of money to which consumers may be entitled as compensation for material and non-material damage;
Justification
The proposal limits the supplier's liability to economic damages suffered by the hardware and software of the consumer. This is too limited since there might be cases where a consumer suffers serious economic or immaterial loss quite apart from any damage to its digital environment, for example if a software contains a bug that allows hackers to gain access to a consumer's computer and steal his identity in order to perform identity fraud. A similar provision is also included in the new General Data Protection Regulation
Amendment    18 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1.  This Directive shall apply to any contract where the supplier supplies digital content to the consumer or undertakes to do so and, in exchange, a price is to be paid or the consumer actively provides counter-performance other than money in the form of personal data or any other data. 1.  This Directive shall apply to any contract where the supplier supplies digital content or a digital service to the consumer or undertakes to do so and, in exchange, a price is to be paid or the consumer makes available his or her personal data or any other data instead of a payment in money, insofar this is possible in line with Regulation (EU) 2016/679. The contract shall explicitly indicate which personal data are exchanged for the content supplied.
Amendment    19 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 4
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 4.  This Directive shall not apply to digital content provided against counter-performance other than money to the extent the supplier requests the consumer to provide personal data the processing of which is strictly necessary for the performance of the contract or for meeting legal requirements and the supplier does not further process them in a way incompatible with this purpose. It shall equally not apply to any other data the supplier requests the consumer to provide for the purpose of ensuring that the digital content is in conformity with the contract or of meeting legal requirements, and the supplier does not use that data for commercial purposes. 4.  This Directive shall not apply where personal data or other data made available by the consumer are exclusively used by the supplier to supply the digital content or to meet legal requirements, and the supplier does not process those data for any other purpose.
Amendment     20 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
7.  If any provision of this Directive conflicts with a provision of another Union act governing a specific sector or subject matter, the provision of that other Union act shall take precedence over this Directive.	7.  If any provision of this Directive conflicts with a provision of another Union act, the provision of that other Union act shall take precedence over this Directive.
Amendment    21 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 8
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 8.  This Directive is without prejudice to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data. 8.  No provision of this Directive or of any act transposing it into national law shall in any way reduce or undermine the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data as provided for in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and in Directive 2002/58/EC.
Amendment     22 Proposal for a directive Article 3 – paragraph 9 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	9 a.  Where, in the context of supplying digital content within the scope of this Directive, the law of Member State other than that of the consumer's permanent residence applies, the supplier shall inform the consumer accordingly before entering into the contract.
Amendment     23 Proposal for a directive Article 5 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2.  The supplier shall supply the digital content immediately after the conclusion of the contract, unless the parties have agreed otherwise. The supply shall be deemed to take place when the digital content is supplied to the consumer or, where point (b) of paragraph 1 applies, to the third party chosen by the consumer, whichever is the earlier.	2.  The supplier shall supply the digital content immediately after the conclusion of the contract, unless the parties have agreed otherwise, and without prejudice to point (m) of Article 16 of Directive 2011/83/EU. The supply shall be deemed to take place when the digital content is supplied to the consumer or, where point (b) of paragraph 1 of this Article applies, to the third party chosen by the consumer, whichever is the earlier.
	_________________
Amendment    24 Proposal for a directive Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1.  In order to conform with the contract, the digital content shall, where relevant: 1.  The contract shall include all relevant characteristics for the assessment of the conformity of the digital content, as well as all relevant information regarding the processing of personal data in compliance with the obligation under Regulation (EU) 2016/679. In order to conform with the contract, the digital content shall, where relevant:
Amendment     25 Proposal for a directive Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(d)  be updated as stipulated by the contract.	(d)  be updated as stipulated by the contract or as necessary to guarantee the characteristics provided for in points (a) and (b), in particular continuity and security.
Amendment    26 Proposal for a directive Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 2.  To the extent that the contract does not stipulate, where relevant, in a clear and comprehensive manner, the requirements for the digital content under paragraph 1, the digital content shall be fit for the purposes for which digital content of the same description would normally be used including its functionality, interoperability and other performance features such as accessibility, continuity and security, taking into account: 2.  In addition to complying with any conformity requirements included in the contract as provided for by paragraph 1, the digital content shall be fit for the purposes for which digital content of the same description would normally be used and shall possess the qualities, including its functionality, interoperability and other performance features such as accessibility, continuity and security, which consumers may reasonably expect, taking into account:
Amendment    27 Proposal for a directive Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (a)  whether the digital content is supplied in exchange for a price or other counter-performance than money; (a)  whether the digital content is supplied in exchange for a price or counter-performance other than money by the provision of personal data or any other data pursuant to Article 3(1);
Amendment    28 Proposal for a directive Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment   (aa)  consumers' legitimate expectations;
Justification
In the proposal, digital content has to be in conformity with what was stipulated in the contract and only if nothing has been stipulated in the contract more objective criteria (like technical standards or codes of conducts) could be used to assess its conformity. However, digital content products are often so complex that the consumer cannot be expected to fully grasp the terms and conditions of the contract and to make an informed decision. It would therefore be advisable to use more often criteria such as technical standards or legitimate expectations to ascertain conformity.
Amendment     29 Proposal for a directive Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b)  where relevant, any existing international technical standards or, in the absence of such technical standards, applicable industry codes of conduct and good practices; and	(b)  any existing international technical standards or, in the absence of such technical standards, applicable industry codes of conduct and good practices; and
Amendment     30 Proposal for a directive Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(b a)  any existing best practices relating to the security of information systems and digital environments;
Amendment     31 Proposal for a directive Article 6 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3.  Where the contract stipulates that the digital content shall be supplied over a period of time, the digital content shall be in conformity with the contract throughout the duration of that period.	3.  Where the contract stipulates that the digital content is to be supplied over a period of time, the digital content, including, where necessary, security updates to be provided by the supplier, shall be in conformity with the contract throughout the duration of that period.
Amendment     32 Proposal for a directive Article 6 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	5 a.  In order to be in conformity with the contract, the digital content or digital service shall respect the principles of “privacy by design” and “privacy by default” set out in Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
Amendment     33 Proposal for a directive Article 9 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3.  The consumer shall cooperate with the supplier to the extent possible and necessary to determine the consumer's digital environment. The obligation to cooperate shall be limited to the technically available means which are the least intrusive for the consumer. Where the consumer fails to cooperate, the burden of proof with respect to the non-conformity with the contract shall be on the consumer.	3.  The consumer shall cooperate with the supplier to the extent possible and necessary to determine the consumer’s digital environment. The obligation to cooperate shall be limited to the technically available means which are the least intrusive for the consumer. Where the consumer fails to cooperate, the burden of proof with respect to the non-conformity with the contract shall be on the consumer. The consumer shall not have to cooperate where the supplier requests access to private or personal information and communications.
Amendment     34 Proposal for a directive Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b)  any lack of conformity which exists at the time the digital content is supplied; and	(b)  any lack of conformity which exists at the time the digital content is supplied;
Amendment     35 Proposal for a directive Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(b a)  any lack of security which was known to the supplier or could reasonably have been known to it according to best practices relating to the security of information systems and digital environments; and
Amendment     36 Proposal for a directive Article 12 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2.  The supplier shall bring the digital content in conformity with the contract pursuant to paragraph 1 within a reasonable time from the time the supplier has been informed by the consumer about the lack of conformity with the contract and without any significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking account of the nature of digital content and the purpose for which the consumer required this digital content.	2.  The supplier shall bring the digital content into conformity with the contract pursuant to paragraph 1 without undue delay from the time the supplier has been informed by the consumer about the lack of conformity with the contract and without any significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking account of the nature of digital content and the purpose for which the consumer required that digital content.
Amendment     37 Proposal for a directive Article 12 – paragraph 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
5.  The consumer may terminate the contract only if the lack of conformity with the contract impairs functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content such as its accessibility, continuity and security where required by Article 6 paragraphs (1) and (2). The burden of proof that the lack of conformity with the contract does not impair functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content shall be on the supplier.	5.  Without prejudice to other legal grounds for terminating the contract, the consumer may terminate the contract if the lack of conformity with the contract impairs functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content such as its accessibility, continuity and security where required by Article 6 (1) and (2). The burden of proof that the lack of conformity with the contract does not impair functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content shall be on the supplier.
Amendment    38 Proposal for a directive Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (b)  the supplier shall take all measures which could be expected in order to refrain from the use of the counter-performance other than money which the consumer has provided in exchange for the digital content and any other data collected by the supplier in relation to the supply of the digital content including any content provided by the consumer with the exception of the content which has been generated jointly by the consumer and others who continue to make use of the content; (b)  the supplier shall refrain from the use of personal data or any other data which the consumer has made available instead of a payment in money in exchange for the digital content and any other data collected by the supplier in relation to the supply of the digital content including any content provided by the consumer with the exception of the content which has been produced jointly by the consumer and others who continue to make use of the content. The supplier shall refrain from processing personal data for the mere purpose of allowing non-personal data and content to be linked to the consumer in order to be able to allow the consumer to retrieve it under point (c). The supplier shall comply with the obligations applicable under Regulation (EU) 2016/679;
Amendment    39 Proposal for a directive Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point c
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (c)  the supplier shall provide the consumer with technical means to retrieve all content provided by the consumer and any other data produced or generated through the consumer's use of the digital content to the extent that data has been retained by the supplier. The consumer shall be entitled to retrieve the content free of charge, without significant inconvenience, in reasonable time and in a commonly used data format; (c)  the supplier, on request by the consumer, shall provide the consumer with technical means to retrieve all content provided by the consumer and any other data produced through the consumer's use of the digital content to the extent that data have been retained by the supplier. The consumer shall be entitled to retrieve the content free of charge, without inconvenience, in reasonable time and in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable data format and to transmit that content to another supplier without hindrance from the initial supplier;
Amendment     40 Proposal for a directive Article 14 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1.  The supplier shall be liable to the consumer for any economic damage to the digital environment of the consumer caused by a lack of conformity with the contract or a failure to supply the digital content. Damages shall put the consumer as nearly as possible into the position in which the consumer would have been if the digital content had been duly supplied and been in conformity with the contract.	1.  The supplier shall be liable to the consumer for any economic damage to the consumer caused by a lack of conformity with the contract or a failure to supply the digital content. Damages shall put the consumer as nearly as possible into the position in which the consumer would have been if the digital content had been duly supplied and been in conformity with the contract.
Amendment     41 Proposal for a directive Article 14 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2.  The Member States shall lay down detailed rules for the exercise of the right to damages.	2.  The Member States shall lay down detailed rules for the exercise of the right to damages. When laying down those rules, Member States may provide for a reduced or increased degree of liability for damages based on objecitve criteria for assessing the efforts made by the supplier to avoid non-conformity of the digital content and the occurrence of the damage, such as best practices in relation to security or state-of-the-art technology.
Amendment     42 Proposal for a directive Article 15 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1.  Where the contract provides that the digital content shall be supplied over the period of time stipulated in the contract, the supplier may alter functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content such as its accessibility, continuity and security, to the extent those alternations adversely affect access to or use of the digital content by the consumer, only if:	1.  Where the contract provides that the digital content is to be supplied over the period of time stipulated in the contract, the supplier may alter functionality, interoperability and other main performance features of the digital content such as its accessibility and continuity, only if:
Amendment     43 Proposal for a directive Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(a a)  such alteration is necessary for the security of the content in line with best practices;
Amendment     44 Proposal for a directive Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b)  the consumer is notified reasonably in advance of the modification by an explicit notice on a durable medium;	(b)  the consumer is notified reasonably in advance of the modification by an explicit notice;
Amendment     45 Proposal for a directive Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point d
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(d)  upon termination of the contract in accordance with point (c), the consumer is provided with technical means to retrieve all content provided in accordance with Article 13(2)(c).	(d)  upon termination of the contract in accordance with point (c), the consumer is provided with technical means to retrieve all content provided in accordance with point (c) of Article 13(2) or point (b) of Article 16(4).
Amendment    46 Proposal for a directive Article 16 – paragraph 4 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (a)  the supplier shall take all measures which could be expected in order to refrain from the use of other counter-performance than money which the consumer has provided in exchange for the digital content and any other data collected by the supplier in relation to the supply of the digital content including any content provided by the consumer; (a)  the supplier shall refrain from the use of personal data or any other data which the consumer has made available instead of a payment in money in exchange for the digital content and any other data provided by the consumer in relation to the use of the digital content including any content provided by the consumer, with the exception of content which has been produced jointly by the consumer and others who continue to make use of it. The supplier shall refrain from processing personal data for the mere purpose of allowing non-personal data and content to be linked to the consumer in order to be able to allow the consumer to retrieve it under point (b).The supplier shall comply with the obligations applicable under Regulation (EU) 2016/679;
Amendment    47 Proposal for a directive Article 16 – paragraph 4 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (b)  the supplier shall provide the consumer with technical means to retrieve all any content provided by the consumer and any other data produced or generated through the consumer's use of the digital content to the extent this data has been retained by the supplier. The consumer shall be entitled to retrieve the content without significant inconvenience, in reasonable time and in a commonly used data format; and (b) the supplier, on request by the consumer, shall provide the consumer with technical means to retrieve all content made available by the consumer and any other data produced through the consumer's use of the digital content to the extent that those data have been retained by the supplier. The consumer shall be entitled to retrieve the content and data without significant inconvenience, in reasonable time and in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable data format and shall have the right to transmit the content and data in question to another supplier without hindrance from the initial supplier; and
Amendment    48 Proposal for a directive Article 18 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1.  Member States shall ensure that adequate and effective means exist to ensure compliance with this Directive. 1.  Member States shall ensure that effective and dissuasive means exist to ensure compliance with this Directive.
Justification
Real enforcement of these new consumers' rights will only take place if truly effective and dissuasive sanctions are put in place by the Member States, given also the important commercial advantages that providers of digital content could gain by aggressively increasing their market share at the detriment of consumers' rights.
Amendment     49 Proposal for a directive Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(ca)  organisations which are active in the field of the protection of data subjects' rights and freedoms with regard to the protection of their personal data.
Justification
based on Art. 80 GDPR
Amendment     50 Proposal for a directive Article 19 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 19 a
	Data protection
	Processing of personal data carried out in the context of activities conducted pursuant to this Directive shall comply with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC.
Amendment     51 Proposal for a directive Article 22 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1.  The Commission shall, not later than on [the date of five years after entry into force] review the application of this Directive and submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council. The report shall examine, inter alia, the case for harmonisation of rules applicable to contracts for the supply of digital content against counter-performance other than that covered by this Directive, in particular supplied against advertisement or indirect collection of data.	1.  The Commission shall, not later than on ... [three years after the date of entry into force of this Directive] review the application of this Directive and submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council. The report shall examine, inter alia, the interaction and compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679, and the case for harmonisation of rules applicable to contracts for the supply of digital content against counter-performance other than that covered by this Directive, in particular supplied against advertisement or indirect collection of data.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Title	Contracts for the supply of digital content
References	COM(2015)0634 – C8-0394/2015 – 2015/0287(COD)
Committees responsible        Date announced in plenary	IMCO 21.1.2016	JURI 21.1.2016
Opinion by        Date announced in plenary	LIBE 21.1.2016
Rapporteur        Date appointed	Marju Lauristin 16.3.2016
Rule 55 – joint committee meetings        Date announced in plenary	28.4.2016
Discussed in committee	12.7.2016	8.11.2016
Date adopted	8.11.2016
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	41 4 2
Members present for the final vote	Martina Anderson, Gerard Batten, Malin Björk, Michał Boni, Caterina Chinnici, Rachida Dati, Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, Cornelia Ernst, Tanja Fajon, Mariya Gabriel, Kinga Gál, Ana Gomes, Nathalie Griesbeck, Jussi Halla-aho, Sophia in ‘t Veld, Barbara Kudrycka, Marju Lauristin, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Roberta Metsola, Claude Moraes, Péter Niedermüller, Judith Sargentini, Birgit Sippel, Csaba Sógor, Helga Stevens, Bodil Valero, Udo Voigt, Beatrix von Storch, Josef Weidenholzer, Cecilia Wikström, Kristina Winberg, Tomáš Zdechovský
Substitutes present for the final vote	Kostas Chrysogonos, Carlos Coelho, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, Pál Csáky, Miriam Dalli, Daniel Dalton, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Ska Keller, Miltiadis Kyrkos, Jeroen Lenaers, Ulrike Lunacek, Andrejs Mamikins
Substitutes under Rule 200(2) present for the final vote	Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz, Maria Noichl

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Title	Contracts for the supply of digital content
References	COM(2015)0634 – C8-0394/2015 – 2015/0287(COD)
Date submitted to Parliament	9.12.2015
Committees responsible        Date announced in plenary	IMCO 21.1.2016	JURI 21.1.2016
Committees asked for opinions        Date announced in plenary	ITRE 21.1.2016	CULT 21.1.2016	LIBE 21.1.2016
Not delivering opinions        Date of decision	ITRE 28.1.2016	CULT 25.1.2016
Rapporteurs        Date appointed	Evelyne Gebhardt 14.4.2016	Axel Voss 14.4.2016
Rule 55 – Joint committee procedure        Date announced in plenary	28.4.2016
Discussed in committee	14.7.2016	29.11.2016	22.3.2017
Date adopted	21.11.2017
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	55 4 2
Members present for the final vote	John Stuart Agnew, Max Andersson, Pascal Arimont, Joëlle Bergeron, Marie-Christine Boutonnet, Jean-Marie Cavada, Dita Charanzová, Kostas Chrysogonos, Carlos Coelho, Sergio Gaetano Cofferati, Lara Comi, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, Daniel Dalton, Nicola Danti, Dennis de Jong, Mady Delvaux, Pascal Durand, Laura Ferrara, Evelyne Gebhardt, Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg, Maria Grapini, Sergio Gutiérrez Prieto, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Philippe Juvin, Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann, Gilles Lebreton, Antonio López-Istúriz White, António Marinho e Pinto, Jiří Maštálka, Eva Maydell, Marlene Mizzi, Nosheena Mobarik, Emil Radev, Julia Reda, Evelyn Regner, Virginie Rozière, Christel Schaldemose, Andreas Schwab, Olga Sehnalová, Jasenko Selimovic, Ivan Štefanec, Catherine Stihler, Pavel Svoboda, József Szájer, Mylène Troszczynski, Mihai Ţurcanu, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, Axel Voss, Francis Zammit Dimech, Marco Zullo, Tadeusz Zwiefka
Substitutes present for the final vote	Lucy Anderson, Heidi Hautala, Kaja Kallas, Angelika Niebler, Ulrike Trebesius, Josef Weidenholzer, Rainer Wieland
Substitutes under Rule 200(2) present for the final vote	Zbigniew Kuźmiuk, Bolesław G. Piecha, Michaela Šojdrová
Date tabled	27.11.2017

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

55	+
ALDE   ECR EFDD GUE/NGL PPE     S&D     Verts/ALE	Jean-Marie Cavada, Dita Charanzová, Kaja Kallas, António Marinho e Pinto, Jasenko Selimovic Daniel Dalton, Zbigniew Kuźmiuk, Nosheena Mobarik, Bolesław G. Piecha, Ulrike Trebesius, Anneleen Van Bossuyt Joëlle Bergeron Kostas Chrysogonos, Jiří Maštálka, Dennis de Jong Pascal Arimont, Carlos Coelho, Lara Comi, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, Philippe Juvin, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Eva Maydell, Angelika Niebler, Emil Radev, Andreas Schwab, Michaela Šojdrová, Ivan Štefanec, Pavel Svoboda, József Szájer, Mihai Ţurcanu, Axel Voss, Rainer Wieland, Francis Zammit Dimech, Tadeusz Zwiefka Lucy Anderson, Sergio Gaetano Cofferati, Nicola Danti, Mady Delvaux, Evelyne Gebhardt, Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg, Maria Grapini, Sergio Gutiérrez Prieto, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann, Marlene Mizzi, Evelyn Regner, Virginie Rozière, Christel Schaldemose, Olga Sehnalová, Catherine Stihler, Josef Weidenholzer Max Andersson, Pascal Durand, Heidi Hautala, Julia Reda

4	-
EFDD ENF	John Stuart Agnew Marie-Christine Boutonnet, Gilles Lebreton, Mylène Troszczynski

2	0
EFDD	Laura Ferrara, Marco Zullo

Key to symbols:

+  :  in favour

-  :  against

0  :  abstention