Home / Vol.13, n°1 / Le monde virtuel met au défi les législateurs: la problématique de la loi applicable dans le cyberespace

The designation of the law in international contracts is often confronted with the reality of the existence of nation-states which have not only various legislations but also contradictory ones. Moreover, the difficulty is more pronounced with the application of an international contract to a virtual environment. Should we readapt it, or at least, give a new interpretation to it, in order to provide an appropriate answer to immaterial operations ?

Another way of looking at it could lead to the creation of a substantive law such as in the European legislature. Even then, the European legislator created some confusion as to the influence of these substantive rules on the traditional rules of private international law. In fact, the European legislature by way of Directive 2000/31/EC concerning electronic commerce in the internal market, has created a legal “imbroglio”, even if ultimately, the confusion seems to be more theoretical than practical.

Finally, how may we reconcile the consumer defence by ensuring a minimum standard of protection without increasing the legal risk for the company? The concept of “directing such activities to that country” seems to be the most appropriate solution which was accepted by European Parliament and the European Council, on November 29, 2007, in the proposal for a regulation based on the law applicable to contractual obligations.

[*] L’auteur remercie particulièrement le professeur Gérald Goldstein, de la Faculté de droit de l'Université de Montréal, pour ses précieux et judicieux conseils ainsi que le comité scientifique de la revue pour la précision et la richesse de ses commentaires en vue de cette publication.

[**] Avocat aux Barreaux de Bruxelles et de Tournai. Courriel : x.van.overmeire@avocat.be