Münster Colloquia on EU Law and the Digital Economy

The digital revolution is one of the ground-breaking trends of our century. One which fundamentally changes our economy and society. New digital products and services are offered almost every day. ‘Apps’, social networks or buying products and services online have all become an integral part of our lives. The datafication of business processes leads to a fast and ever increasing mass of data, making up the lifeblood running through the veins of the data economy.

The "Münster Colloquia" deal with the challenges facing EU law resulting from the transition to the digital economy. They bring together renowned lawyers from academia and legal practice as well as EU/national policy makers and stakeholder representatives. They are a privileged forum to discuss the concepts and instruments which respond to legal issues brought to the forefront, by for instance the data economy or artificial intelligence.

 

 

 

Upcoming Münster Colloquium

AI-Contracting

Programme
 

09th - 10th Januar 2025

 

Previous Colloquia

2024 Private Law and the Data Act

Conference Programme

2022 Liability for AI

Conference Programme

2021 Smart Products

Conference Programme

2019 Data as Counter-Performance – Contract Law 2.0?

Conference Programme

2018 Liability for Robotics and the Internet of Things

Conference Programme

2017 Trading Data in the Digital Economy: Legal Concepts and Tools 

Conference Programme

2016 Contracts for the Supply of Digital Content: Regulatory Challenges and Gaps 

Conference Programme

2015 Digital Revolution: Challenges for Contract Law in Practice 

Conference Programme

 

Publications following previous Münster Colloquia

 

– Contract Law 2.0? 

 

The 5th Münster Colloquium focused on "Data as Counter-Performance – Contract Law 2.0?". At EU level, the Directive on Contracts for the Supply of Digital Content or Services, adopted in 2019, includes contracts where the trader supplies digital content or a digital service and the consumer grants the supplier access to personal data. The EU and national legislators face the challenge of how this concept can be integrated into the legal system together with consideration of relevant provisions of private law, such as those on the execution of contracts and remedies. These new developments raise the question whether we need a Contract Law 2.0.

Information about the volume on the publisher's website.

 

Artificial Intelligence is an enabling technology having a comparable measure of consequences to society as the introduction of electricity. While it may result in huge economic growth and significant societal benefits, it can also bring risks. The 4th Münster Colloquium concentrated on possible EU law responses to these benefits and risks. It not only addressed questions relating to their reasonable allocation but also shed light on possible forms of liability taking into account traditional concepts of liability as well as possible new approaches.

Information about the volume on the publisher's website.

The datafication of business processes leads to an incredibly fast and ever increasing amount of data, being the life blood running in the veins of the data economy. Already many existing and the future business models of the digital economy, driving innovation and creating economic growth, depend on the ability to access and use data. Therefore the third Münster Colloquium analysed various legal concepts and tools enabling trade in data, which should allow digital economy operators to develop and run their business models.

Information about the volume on the publisher's website.

 

In December 2015 the European Commission proposed a Directive concerning contracts for the supply of digital content and services. The second Münster Colloquium analysed in depth this proposed European legislation, especially its possible gaps and weaknesses.

Information about the volume on the publisher's website.

 

The first Münster Colloquium kicked off the discussion of the legal policy challenges stemming from the transition to the digital economy and its effects on European private law. It was dedicated in particular to several of its main fields: 3D-Printing, the Share Economy and the Internet of Things.

Information about the volume on the publisher's website.