E-Commerce Law in China The Functioning of E-Commerce in China and The Influence of the EU Model

China, the most populous country in the world, has developed an e-commerce system that is in many ways distinct from the system established in Europe and North America. Understanding the difference is essential for the smooth development of this new channel of distribution, namely e-commerce.

Chinese e-commerce platforms are very good examples on how to exploit development in technology, not only to create value for the operators but also contribute to structural changes in the Chinese economy, boosting internal consumption. The success of Alibaba is unique because of the characteristic of the Chinese market and consumers. Their imminent IPO, at or exceeding the offer value of Facebook, will attract more attention to e-commerce in China as a new method to establish a presence in this market.

Chinese companies, e-commerce or not, are eager to expand their presence abroad, and they will adopt a more aggressive approach to participate more in the EU through acquisitions

This first book of its kind examines the framework regulating online sales, protection of personal data and intellectual property, use of e-money, e-marketing, and Internet security as they currently exist in China’s “market space”. The book’s very useful information includes such items as the following:

• detailed comparisons with European e-commerce regulation;
• business models for operating a website in China;
• Chinese rules on online purchase contracts, privacy, and data security;
• downloading and distributing software and other material;
• protection against copyright infringements and computer fraud;
• issues of jurisdiction and governing law;
• advertising and “spam”;
• use of “cookies” in online marketing;
• taxation of e-commerce;
• existing gateways for online payment;
• effect of the expansion of the so-called social forums;
• understanding Chinese online consumers and their behavior;
• importance of Chinese culture and heritage when applying copyright on the Internet; and
• progress towards a freer and more secure cyberspace in China.

An appendix presents English texts of essential Chinese legislation affecting e-commerce. As a full-fledged definition of this new channel of distribution, its boundaries and functioning, with a particular focus on China, this book is an indispensable source of guidance and reference for counsel representing global marketers at any level of business. Its importance for scholars and researchers in the critical field of data security goes without saying. However, this book is also a guide for all the enterprises wishing to do business in the online dimension in China, and for all the consumers shopping online, wishing to know what their rights are when buying products or services on the Internet, and to know how to protect themselves if something goes wrong.