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EU's Top Court Rules That Uber Is a Transportation Company (axios.com)
Uber is a taxi company, according to a landmark ruling from Europe's highest court. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled Wednesday that the U.S. ride-hailing app is a transportation firm and not a digital company. The verdict is a long-awaited judgment expected to have major implications for how Uber is regulated throughout Europe. From a report: The E.U.'s member countries now have more clarity and authority to regulate Uber as a transportation company (more strictly than as a tech service), though many already do so. As a technology company, Uber would have been protected by E.U. law from certain restrictions by individual countries, and would have required them to notify the commission of any new regulations.
...European court rules that Uber is a pathological liar for claiming to be a tech firm in the first place.
Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
Another one in the face for those silicon valley arsewipes who's idea of "disruption" is destroying established businesses through undercutting and paying as little as possible to both employees (yes, they are in the EU) and the taxman.
Tell you what bro's - if you don't want to pay tax how about you don't use any facilities paid for out of tax revenue? That would be , oh, most roads in the world I suspect!
"What can we get away with?" has been a corporate tactic for a very long time. And while it's hardly limited to corporations, they tend to have bigger legal teams.
Mr. Hu is not a ninja.
I've used Uber once or twice and I struggle to see much of a difference between their business model and that of private hire companies (private hire taxis being similarly licensed by authorities, but different than 'official' taxis).
Private hire / radio cabs:
- Operate on a pre-booked basis only (you cannot stop one in the street).
- Are booked by speaking to an operator, who co-ordinates the drivers affiliated with their firm.
- Comes to you and the driver gives you a call to let you know he has arrived.
It seems that Uber's technology largely replaces the role of the operator. Their business model is hardly new or unique (in the UK and Europe), and their automation of part of the process, using an app and some servers, is to be applauded but doesn't negate the fact that they are simply a big private hire firm.
Backup not found: (A)bort (R)etry (P)anic
In other words....government finds a way to get in and mess up something that has been innovative, proven popular and successful.
You mean a company that has been losing money at a clip of $500 million every month with no signs of profitability even in the face of ignoring the law to save money and grow. Yeah, SUPER successful... [/sarcasm]
Good thing govt wasn't this bad a 100 or so years ago....we'd otherwise still have a thriving buggy whip industry.
Peculiar view of how wonderful the world was 100 years ago. 100 years women weren't allowed to vote, minorities (particularly blacks) were subject to Jim Crow laws which wouldn't end for another 50 years, the Fair Labor Standards Act wouldn't be passed for another 20 years, etc.
This notion that government is always bad is in stark denial of reality.
Now try again in English.
As a frequent traveler, this is bad news.
In the past, I've always used taxis. They can be hard to get, often late, don't keep up with the technology, often require cash (despite some laws that require them to take credit cards). Obviously, some places are better than others due to any number of factors but I don't always get to choose where I go.
Using an app to get a ride (I use Lyft when I can) is so much easier. You know the cost up front, when the driver will be there, and can even see where they are on the map. The desire to get high marks from passengers results in nice clean cars, cellphone chargers, and politeness (OK, not all the time, but I have a really easy way to report back to the company if they are bad).
And then the price is better. Sure, the difference is not going to make or break a customer or company but these things add up in a budget.
While I see the point of taxis being regulated in the same way as other drivers, the reality will be that a bunch of slowly changing regulations that will cripple being able to have a quick, inexpensive, and pleasant ride just to support an old horse drawn buggy system.
Perhaps a non-US company should ognore the laws in the US. E.g selling beer to people looking at the age limit in the country of origin. ABInBev would be a nice start
Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.