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Italy Bans Uber (thenextweb.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the expect-the-unexpected dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Next Web: A court just banned Uber from using its apps in Italy -- yes, all of Italy. The court ruled in favor of the country's taxi drivers -- who filed the suit -- claiming Uber was "unfair competition." Now Uber can't use it's apps -- including UberBlack, Uber LUX, X, and Select -- and it can't promote or advertise itself at all within the country. For all intents and purposes, Uber is banned in Italy.

21 of 215 comments (clear)

  1. Appeal by manu0601 · · Score: 2

    While this is a good news for everyone that consider Uber is evil, this is not final victory: they will appeal.

    The case is likely to bubble up to the EU Justice Court.

    1. Re:Appeal by Rei_is_a_dumbass · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The case is likely to bubble up to the EU Justice Court.

      Where they will get banned across all of Europe.

    2. Re:Appeal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      Good. It's about time.

      Uber is a taxi company. What they do is the exact definition of a taxi company. Using a phone app doesn't make them any less of a taxi company. It's time for Uber to follow the same rules that Taxi companies must follow, or, stop doing business.

    3. Re:Appeal by Shinobi · · Score: 4, Informative

      In Sweden they do, or get banned from operating. Jail sentences have also been handed out to shady operators. Remember, not every place is as shitty as the US or Russia or China...

    4. Re:Appeal by Pentium100 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Uber wants to be "more equal than others". If there are rules that you have to follow or you can try to get the government to change the rules for everyone. Instead, however, some companies try to break the rules to gain an unfair advantage:

      Emission standards (I personally dislike those rules) are for everyone, except VW - "the competitors will spends lots of money developing better engines like idiots, while we can just cheat the test".

      Taxi rules are for everyone except Uber, even though the service is the same, but "on a computer", like the patent trolls who manage to get a patent for some everyday action but "on a computer".

      They had a great idea and it's spread across the world quickly and rewritten the rules of getting from a to b.

      What is different about Uber compared to a regular taxi?
      1. You arrange the ride (phonecall to a taxi company or by using an Uber app).
      2. The car comes, you get in, get driven to your destination, pay for the service.

    5. Re:Appeal by fluffernutter · · Score: 2

      Where I am, there is a stab shield behind every driver, a strobe light on the top of the vehicle for emergencies, and the back seat is covered with vinyl so that it is washable. Those are the ones that are plain as day, and yes every cab has them because they wouldn't get their license otherwise.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    6. Re:Appeal by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Informative

      What rules do taxi companies follow? Oh right, they "inspect" their fleet and follow "regulations". Sure they do.

      I don't know what dingy backwater you live in, but in places where people wear shoes, taxis are inspected and regulated.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    7. Re:Appeal by Golden_Rider · · Score: 2

      Fuck taxi companies

      This Uber hatred is astonishing. They had a great idea and it's spread across the world quickly and rewritten the rules of getting from a to b.

      What "great idea"? Ordering a cab, getting into the cab, getting from A to B and then paying? I think that idea was around already before Uber and I think people called it a "taxi".

    8. Re:Appeal by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Informative

      In every state in the US, all motor vehicles are inspected every year.

      No, they are not.

      There are nineteen states without any inspection requirement at all.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
  2. Unwise to play by the rules? by Mandrel · · Score: 5, Interesting

    No means no in the personal space, but most of the big Internet companies were built on breaking the rules: Google and YouTube were built on copyright infringement, Facebook was built on privacy violations, Uber and Airbnb respectively ignore local transport and accommodation laws, PayPal violated credit card company agreements, Amazon aggressively imposes patents and parity-pricing agreements, and Snapchat has thrived from illicit activity by children, not to mention all those boosted to critical mass through illegal spam.

    But once established, it's both feasible and desirable to show a kinder front.

    1. Re:Unwise to play by the rules? by MS · · Score: 4, Informative

      You're so right.

      As a private hoster in Italy with regular license, I hope that Airbnb shuts down soon and all advertisers get a visit by the tax fraud investigators. People renting rooms and apartments through Airbnb have no licence, do not pay real estate taxes, tourist taxes, and neither income taxes, do not contribute to the local tourist board, have no assurance, do not fill out police rercordings ... and are thus unfair competition.

    2. Re:Unwise to play by the rules? by angel'o'sphere · · Score: 2

      They pay real estate taxes. That has nothing to to do with Airbnb.
      They pay tourist taxes, as that is done via Airbnb and the fees they deduct.
      The money you "earn" via Airbnb is usually not taxable, as it only reduces your rent you pay yourself, and is thus not an income.
      There is no difference between a "third person" that lives as a "flat mate" in your flat versus a tourist. If they "make money" by sub renting and don't declare the income, it is tax fraud. That has nothing to do with Airbnb.

      Uber is something different, they "threat public safety" .... well, in theory. Could/should the laws be changed? Perhaps. Not sure actually.

      Should Uber be tolerated breaking the laws? Absolutely not!

      --
      Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
  3. Come on people by thygate · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Now Uber can't use it's apps."

    so sad!

  4. Re: So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Seriously? You think your comparison is apt? Uber isn't buggies vs taxis. Uber is unregulated taxis vs regulated taxis along with exploiting their unemployed drivers. Uber makes us all poorer.

  5. Re: So... by Uberbah · · Score: 3, Funny

    Buggy whips are an exact comparison.

    Only if Uber is a whip user as well. Since this is all about taxi services.

    You are a fucking moron, and evil.

    Speak up, it's hard to hear you when your voice is coming from so deep in your colon.

  6. Can they do it? by countach · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I don't know if Italy has the power to ban an app. Maybe on IOS if Apple is willing to play ball. But they can't ban a web app. Not easily anyway.

  7. Re: So... by fluffernutter · · Score: 2

    The thing you don't understand is the old ways are what society has already decided was the best thing to do. If Uber wants new ways then they convince people that their new ways are better and have the existing laws relaxed because then the people get to have a say on what would work best for everyone. You don't set up an illigal business.

    --
    Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
  8. That's all well and good by Dunbal · · Score: 4, Insightful

    But... have people actually stopped using Uber in Italy? After all, lots of things are banned in a lot of places. Porn. Prostitution. Drugs. Gambling. And yet...

    --
    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
    1. Re:That's all well and good by Dunbal · · Score: 2

      Maybe he meant cash? Oh wait, having cash pretty much implies you're a criminal nowadays too. At least that's the attitude I get from banks and government authorities.

      --
      Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  9. Re: So... by Pentium100 · · Score: 2

    Regulated == more expensive

    More expensive means people have less cash for other things that are important. If you want a "regulated" taxi you can also opt for that and pay more.

    Awesome, why not apply this to lead paint or mercury?

  10. Ah, italian taxi drivers... by jpbelang · · Score: 3, Informative

    Ironically, on my last trip to Italy, the only person who ripped us off is a taxi driver.

    --
    JP http://www.wearerite.com