ARTICLE · 13 FEBRUARY 2019

Restricting Trading Restrictions: The Geo-Blocking Regulation

Squire Patton Boggs LLP

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In early December 2018, the Geo-Blocking Regulation 2018/302 (the Regulation) came into force across the EU ...

European UnionGovernment, Public Sector

In early December 2018, the Geo-Blocking Regulation 2018/302 (the Regulation) came into force across the EU, with the aim of creating a single digital market by banning unjustified geo-blocking (the blocking of access to websites to individuals based in certain territories) and other forms of discrimination based on customers' nationality, place of residence or establishment within the market. The introduction of the Regulation may have a serious impact on how traders in the EU operate their businesses. The Regulation applies in all Member States (the impact of Brexit is considered briefly below) to:

"customers" (both consumers and EU based companies) who seek to purchase goods or services within the EU for the sole purpose of end use; and

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