Title: .B. DIRECTIVE 97/7 ON CONSUMER PROTECTION IN RESPECT OF DISTANCE CONTRACTS

This directive covers consumer protection regarding distance contracts between suppliers and consumers. The protection mainly consists of the determination of information required to be provided to the consumer. For example, prior to and in good time before the conclusion of any distance contract, the consumer must be provided in a clear and comprehensible manner with the identity of the supplier, with the main characteristics of goods and services; with the price of goods and services, including all taxes; with delivery costs etc. Because the information disseminated by certain electronic technologies is often ephemeral in nature insofar as it is not received on a permanent medium, consumers must also receive written notice in good time of the information necessary for proper performance of the contract. (article 5.1.). However, the mandatory written confirmation (in a durable, available and accessible medium) does not apply to ‘services performed through the use of a means of distance communication, where they are supplied on only one occasion and are invoiced by the operator of the means of distance communication’ (article 5.2.). Nevertheless, the consumer must always be able to obtain the geographical address of the supplier to which he may address any complaints.

If we again refer to the concept of ambient law we could image the provision of the required information and the negotiating of available options in a format that is intelligible for the intelligent agent of the consumer. The agent should incorporate the legislation in such a way that any proposed transaction that is in violation of the directive will be rejected automatically.