LEFIS blog (Europe)

2006-11-04T17:55:00.000Z

Under Revision

Danuta Hübner: "Connecting regions for growth and jobs"

2006-10-12T12:10:00.000Z

The EU Press Room has also published the Speech "Connecting regions for growth and jobs" delivered yesterday in Brussels by Danuta Hübner, Member of the European Commission responsible for Regional Policy, at the OPEN DAYS 2006 - ICT Seminar: Is your region connected to the information society?.

Viviane Reding: "Strengthening the European Information Society: From Talk to Action"

2006-09-28T13:19:00.000Z

The EU Press Room has published the Speech "Strengthening the European Information Society: From Talk to Action" delivered today in Helsink by Viviane Reding, Member of the European Commission responsible for the Information Society and Media, at the I2010 Conference 'Towards a ubiquitous European Information Society'.

"EU and the right to privacy: EDPS on mid-term state of play"

2006-09-18T19:24:00.000Z

As also stated by the EU Press Room, "Earlier today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) held a press conference. Touching upon his achievements both in terms of data protection advice to the EU-institutions and supervision of their data processing, he also commented on the current debate climate - in which data protection and privacy advocates are wrongly criticised of hindering security policies.
Peter Hustinx, EDPS, said: 'It is a misconception that protection of privacy and personal data holds back the fight against terrorism and organised crime. Current legislation however does allow for instance law enforcement to check suspicious phone numbers found in a computer. Good data protection actually goes hand in hand with legitimate crime fighting because it increases the quality of data bases and at the same time makes sure that only the right people can access them'."

This Press Release is available in full text too.

"Dot eu: Commissioner Reding pays first visit to managers of Europe's new internet domain"

2006-09-18T16:57:00.000Z

As stated by the EU Press Room, "Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding visited today (18 September 2006) EURid, the independent consortium managing the '.eu' domain name. Commissioner Reding was accompanied by several Members of the European Parliament. The purpose of the visit was to understand the way the new domain name registration system – that so far has attracted more than two million users – functions. EURid is located in Diegem, Brussels."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Green Paper on detection and associated technologies in the work of law enforcement, customs and other security authorities"

2006-09-04T14:02:00.000Z

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has today adopted a Green Paper on detection and associated technologies in the work of law enforcement, customs and other security authorities."

This Press Release is available in full text.

The LEFIS BEJA Meetings: 19-21 October 2006

2006-08-29T09:45:00.000Z

The next LEFIS General Meetings: the Meeting on accreditation and the General Assembly will have place in Beja (Portugal) between the 19th and the 21th of October 2006.

You can obtain here he draft of the Programme, including informations about travel and accomodation.

E-Taxation: State & Perspectives Workshop and II Congresso Internacional de Direito Eletrônico

2006-08-24T10:28:00.000Z

There are planned two next interesting events: II Congresso Internacional de Direito Eletrônico (Brazil) and the E-Taxation: State & Perspectives Workshop (Austria) . The two are related with the LEFIS topics.

Legal Seminar on Travel and Tourism Law

2006-07-28T08:31:00.000Z

The United Federation of Travel Agents’ Associations (UFTAA), together with the International Forum for Travel & Tourism Advocates (IFTTA) is organising a Seminar session on "E-Commerce and Travel Trade" in co-operation with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and LEFIS.
Speakers are: Manuel Masseno, Portugal; Phil Cameron, USA; Ronald Schmid, Germany; Daniela Schulz, Germany followed by a panel discussion.
The Seminar takes place in Malta during the IFTTA 18th Conference on September 7th.
The Seminar on E-commerce is followed by sessions during September 8-9 on legal aspects of "Hospitality Law"-liabilities and case studies, "EU Legislation"- implications of EU directives, "Global Trends in Tourism legislations" and "Air Law"- denied boarding, cancellations, overbooking, etc.

For more information and registration, please visit www.iftta.org

Viviane Reding: "More joint research projects and an open regulatory dialogue: Keys for better business conditions and improved market access..."

2006-06-20T16:08:00.000Z

The EU Press Room has published the Speech "More joint research projects and an open regulatory dialogue: Keys for better business conditions and improved market access between the EU and South East Asia in the ICT sector" delivered by Viviane Reding, Member of the European Commission responsible for the Information Society and Media, at Opening of the EU-South East Asia Forum on the Information Society, Singapore, 19 June.

"Transfer of passenger name records (PNR): The Commission adopts two initiatives to comply with the Ruling of the ECJ"

2006-06-19T14:08:00.000Z

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission adopted today two initiatives to put a legally sound framework in place for the transfer of PNR data to the United States. These initiatives are the first European answers to correct the legal basis for the Agreement with the US that was struck down by the European Court of Justice on 30 May 2006. The Court ruled that the Article 95 EC-Treaty was not an appropriate legal basis for the transfer of PNR data which are essentially aiming to ensure public security and activities by public authorities in areas of criminal law.
As the Agreement with the United-States remains in force under international law for a period of 90 days after it is denounced by either Party, the Commission recommends to the Council to terminate the Agreement with the US before the end of this month.
At the same time the Commission asks the Council for an authorisation to open negotiations for an Agreement with the United States of America on the use of PNR data to prevent and combat terrorism and transnational crime, including organised crime."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Commission seeks to improve network and information security in Europe"

2006-06-01T11:02:00.000Z

According to the EU Press Room, "Businesses, individuals and public administrations in Europe still underestimate the risks of insufficiently protecting networks and information. Security presently represents only around 5-13% of IT expenditure, which is alarmingly low. The Commission is therefore promoting greater awareness, in a policy document adopted today, through an open and inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue on a new IT Security Strategy for Europe. A partnership amongst Member States, involving the IT industry and users as well as the European network security agency ENISA should lead to more trustworthy, secure and reliable information and communication technologies. People and organisations must be empowered to look after their own interests and responsibilities."

This Press Release is available in full text.

The "European Court of Justice confirms legality of the establishment of the European Network and Information Security Agency"

2006-05-03T18:59:00.000Z

As stated by the EU Press Room, "Yesterday, the European Court of Justice confirmed that the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), established in 2004 with its seat now in Heraklion (Greece), was correctly established on the basis of the single market clause in Article 95 of the EC Treaty. The Court thereby rejected a legal challenge made by the United Kingdom.
“Network and information security is of key economic importance for the stability of the European economy, for the security of our society and to win the trust of consumers in new technologies”, Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media, commented. “The Court’s judgement confirms the Commission’s view that rules which guarantee such safe, stable and trustworthy IT networks in Europe can be adopted on the basis of the EC Treaty’s single market rules. I am particularly glad that today’s ruling also gives legal certainty to the staff of ENISA in Greece, which I visited three weeks ago and whose valuable work I saw with my own eyes. I intend to make ENISA a key element of the Commission’s future work on network and IT security.”
The single market clause of Article 95 of the EC Treaty provides for the adoption of Community-wide rules which improve the single market by qualified majority in the Council, by a proposal from the Commission and in co-decision with the European Parliament. The United Kingdom had challenged the establishment of ENISA, which in its view should have been made by unanimity in the Council and with consultation of the European Parliament only (EC Treaty Article 308).
The judgement of the European Court of Justice confirms that Community agencies which contribute to the proper functioning of the single market can be established on the basis of the single market clause even where their powers are essentially non-regulatory in nature. The European Court of Justice also held that single market rules do not necessarily need to have Member States as their addressees. The ECJ in particular highlights the close connection between the work of ENISA and the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications, which have as their objective the single market in the field of telecommunication services.
The Commission will present a Strategic Communication on Network and Information Security at the end of May.

Further information on ENISA: http://www.enisa.eu.int/.

The ECJ judgment in Case C-217/04, United Kingdom v Parliament and Council is published on the website of the ECJ under http://www.curia.eu.int."

"Internet: Commission seeks global partnership on Internet governance, freedom of expression and the combat against cyber-repression"

2006-04-27T13:15:00.000Z

According to the EU Press Room, "To keep up the momentum of the successful World Summit on Information Society (Tunis, 16-18 November 2005), the European Commission has set out today its priorities for implementing the international policy commitments made at the Summit. These priorities include safeguarding and strengthening human rights, in particular the freedom to receive and access information. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) should be used to contribute to open democratic societies and to economic and social progress worldwide. The Commission calls for continuing international talks to improve Internet governance through the two new processes created by the Summit: the multi-stakeholder Internet Governance Forum and the mechanism of enhanced cooperation that will involve all governments on an equal footing."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"eGovernment: Commission calls for ambitious objectives in the EU for 2010"

2006-04-26T14:10:00.000Z

As stated by the EU Press Room, "Hundreds of billions of euros could be saved for European taxpayers every year as a result of administrative modernisation in the 25 EU Member States, outlined today in the European Commission’s eGovernment Action Plan. Information and communication technology is the key to modernising government services: making them more efficient and more responsive. 100% take-up of electronic invoicing and electronic public procurement is predicted to save 300billion euros every year. All Member States already signed up to an ambitious agenda to achieve these goals in Manchester last year (see MEMO/05/446). Today’s action plan proposes concrete steps towards achieving these goals."

This Press Release is available in full text.

International ALFA Seminar on eGovernance

2006-04-12T05:32:00.000Z

The ALFA Project II-0258-FA "Legal Framework for the Information Society/Gobierno electrónico" organizes the Internation ALFA Seminar on eGovernance wich takes place at the cities of Montevideo and La Plata.

Organized by L.E.F.I.S. network
Venue: Universidad de la República, Maggiolo room (Uruguay) and Universidad Nacional de la Plata, Aula Magna (Argentina)
Dates: 18-19 and 21 April 2006
Contact: Fernando Galindo (e mail: fgalindo@lefis.org)
More information in the web site: http://www.lefis.org/index.php

Programmes (es): Montevideo / La Plata

"'.eu': Europe's new internet domain now open for everybody"

2006-04-07T14:13:00.000Z

As stated by the EU Press Room, "From 11.00 hrs today, anyone with a residence in the European Union may apply to register a name under the .eu Top Level Domain, on a first-come, first-served basis. Nationality of an EU Member State is not a prerequisite. Today also sees the close of the 'sunrise' period, during which 320,000 .eu domain applications were filed by trademark holders, public bodies and holders of other prior rights such as unregistered trade marks, business identifiers or copyrights. EU institutions and officials will all switch to '.eu' names, en masse, on 9 May 2006, Europe Day."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"'Broadband for all': Commission mobilises all its policy instruments to bridge the broadband gap"

2006-03-21T22:34:00.000Z

According to the EU Press Room, "The Commission considers wide broadband coverage in Europe as crucial for fostering growth and jobs in Europe. This is why EU telecoms legislation, structural and rural policy instruments need to be mobilised in full respect of state aid rules in a joint drive to bring high-speed 'broadband' internet access to all Europeans, in particular to the EU’s less-developed areas. This is the conclusion of 'Bridging the Broadband Gap', a European Commission Communication presented today jointly by the European Commissioners for Information Society and Media, Competition, Regional Policy and Agriculture and Rural Development."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Electronic signatures: legally recognised but cross-border take-up too slow, says Commission"

2006-03-17T20:45:00.000Z

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The reluctant take-up of electronic signature tools is slowing down the growth of trade in goods and services via the internet, says the Commission in a progress report published this week. However, growing use of electronic ID cards and the use of e-signatures in e-government services, such as on-line income tax returns, are expected to drive demand in the future. The report also confirms that the 1999 Directive on a Community framework for electronic signatures continues to provide, for the moment, a valid basis for electronic signatures in the internal market."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Interoperability of databases: EDPS raises concerns on principal issues and calls for a better analysis"

2006-03-13T18:04:00.000Z

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has issued comments on policy options for the interoperability of databases in the area of Justice and Home Affairs, as presented in a recent Communication of the European Commission. Although not properly defined in the Communication, it is clear that 'interoperability' raises a number of questions in relation to data protection which need a better analysis. The EDPS also strongly discourages the use of biometric data, such as fingerprints - or perhaps even DNA - as a unique identification key. The accuracy of biometrics is overestimated in this respect and it will facilitate unwarranted interconnection of databases.
Peter Hustinx, EDPS, says: 'The Commission argues that interoperability is a technical rather than a legal or political concept. This is confusing and only serves to avoid fundamental issues. Interoperable systems increase the risks for citizens, if such systems allow for new access to their personal data. It is essential to examine this more carefully and not hide it as a technicality'.
In his initial comments to the Communication, the EDPS underlines that he needs to be consulted on any legislative proposals that may stem from it. He also makes some specific observations, such as welcoming the Commission's analysis that there shall be a much higher threshold for access when internal security authorities query databases in other domains than when they query criminal data bases.
The EDPS regularly issues opinions on proposals for legislation that relate to data protection. When necessary, the EDPS also reacts to other related documents, such as Commission Communications, because of their possible long term policy impact.

The comments are available on our website.

For more information, please contact the EDPS Press Service at: +32 2 283 19 00"

"Commission launches public consultation on radio frequency ID tags"

2006-03-09T19:53:00.000Z

As stated by the EU Press Room, "Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), which will soon replace bar codes in your supermarket, offer tremendous opportunities for business and society. But their power to report their location, identity and history also raises serious concerns about personal privacy and security, as well as technical interoperability and international compatibility. To address these concerns – some of which may well require legislative responses –, the European Commission today launched a comprehensive public consultation with a high-level Conference on RFID at the CeBit 2006 trade fair in Hannover, Germany."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"European Commission steps up efforts to put Europe’s memory on the Web via a 'European Digital Library'"

2006-03-02T20:24:00.000Z

Also according to the EU Press Room, "The European Commissions’ plan to promote digital access to Europe’s heritage is rapidly taking shape. At least six million books, documents and other cultural works will be made available to anyone with a Web connection through the European Digital Library over the next five years. In order to boost European digitisation efforts, the Commission will co-fund the creation of a Europe-wide network of digitisation centres. The Commission will also address, in a series of policy documents, the issue of the appropriate framework for intellectual property rights protection in the context of digital libraries."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"The availability principle: EDPS wants the exchange of police information to be introduced more cautiously"

2006-03-02T09:15:00.000Z

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has issued an Opinion on the proposal for a framework decision on the exchange of information under the principle of availability. Introduced by the Hague program, the principle of availability means that information that is available to law enforcement authorities in one Member State should also be made accessible for equivalent authorities in other Member States. The principle raises a number of data protection issues, notably because of the sensitivity of the data and the reduced control of the use of the information."

This Press Release is available in full text.

LEFIS Publications

2006-02-23T17:45:00.000Z

The JILT issue 2&3 2005 presents several papers originated in the LEFIS Vilnius Workshop on Legal Aspects of E-Government from September 2003.

On the other hand, the International Review of Law, Computers & Technology, published by Routledge, a part of the Taylor & Francis Group, has edited the Issue: Volume 19, Number 3 / November 2005, Special Issue: Developing Theory in Legal Technology. The papers were presented initially in the Belfast LEFIS Workshop Lessig’s Code: lessons for Legal Education From the Frontiers of IT Law, July 2004.

"Interoperability between national administrations for pan-European eGovernment services"

2006-02-23T14:13:00.000Z

According to the EU Press Room, "A Swedish / Italian couple needs to fill in and provide dozens of papers to get married because the administrations of both countries cannot communicate electronically. Not only lovers are concerned. Heaps of paper must be piled up when it comes to setting up a company, paying taxes, transferring social insurance rights or participating in procurement activities in another Member State. A new Commission communication calls for interoperability among all national and regional administrations in the EU. EGovernment at a pan-European level will remove administrative barriers and facilitate the free movement of businesses and citizens within the internal market. Modern public administration has to be built upon digital services together with streamlined eGovernment processes."

This Press Release is available in full text.