Events to look out for
Webinar: A cultural understanding for business expansion and innovation – 25 April, 15:00 CET. CUBE IN is a learning portal to support small companies from the EU to better grasp business and innovation opportunities in emerging markets, through a better understanding of cultural differences. Next April 25 CUBE IN will host a webinar to explain their support offer and opportunities to companies.
Funds available
EUR 25 million of loans for cultural and creative businesses in Belgium. The European Investment Fund (EIF) has signed guarantee agreements with PMV and ST'ART SA, two finance providers in Belgium. In total, more than 140 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the cultural and creative sectors are expected to obtain access to finance as a result of this new Guarantee Facility.
EU policies for better business
Travel with your digital subscriptions. The EU regulation on cross-border portability of online content services is going to apply from 1 April 2018. Europeans who have purchased films, series, sports broadcasts, games or e-books online while at home will be able to access them when they travel across the EU. On the other side, companies and content providers in the EU will need to provide access 'like at home', to paid subscribers who are temporarily outside their country of residence.
European Commission proposes new measures to ensure that all companies pay fair tax in the EU. The European Commission, last week, has proposed new rules to ensure that digital business activities are taxed in a fair and growth-friendly way in the EU. Two distinct legislative proposals will lead to a fairer taxation of digital activities in the EU. The first initiative aims to reform corporate tax rules so that profits are registered and taxed where businesses have significant interaction with users through digital channels. The second proposal responds to calls from several EU Member States for an interim tax which covers the main digital activities that currently escape tax altogether in the EU.
Rules against unjustified geoblocking enter into force. The new rules against unjustified geoblocking entered into force last week and will be a reality for EU citizens as of 3 December 2018. With these new rules, consumers will be able to find the best deals online when buying goods and services across the EU without being discriminated based on nationality and residence. Traders have nine months to adapt and introduce necessary changes to comply with the EU rules.
Get involved
The European Commission is looking for experts on product liability law, with a view to draw up guidance - also on emerging digital technologies - and think about the future. If you are an expert on product liability, answer the call until 30 April 2018.