2-4 February 2023
FINAL ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE
Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence
Consumers and SMEs in the Digital Single Market (Digi-ConSME)
Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna
Sala Ardigò, 1st floor, Palazzo Ercolani, Strada Maggiore 45
2-4 February 2023
19 October 2022
Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R2065&from=EN
26 September 2022
Fourth report confirms SURE success in protecting jobs during pandemic
The Commission has published its fourth bi-annual report on the implementation and impact of SURE, the €100 billion instrument designed to protect jobs and incomes affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5743
26 September 2022
Single Market: Commission committed to transparency and cooperation with Member States
Following the recent proposal on new rules for addressing Single Market future emergencies, the Commission is today showcasing the availibility of essential existing tools to ensure the free movement of goods and services for smooth functioning of the Single Market.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5790
19 September 2022
A “Relief Package” to give our SMEs a lifeline in troubled waters I Blog of Commissioner Thierry Breton
The European Commission presented a Single Market Emergency Instrument to preserve the functioning of our Single Market and of our supply chains in times of crisis – including the provision and purchasing of essential products and services by Europe's SMEs.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_22_5653
14 September 2022
Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2022 on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector and amending Directives (EU) 2019/1937 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Digital Markets Act)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R1925&qid=1668016901931&from=en
28 July 2022
Digital Economy and Society Index 2022: overall progress but digital skills, SMEs and 5G networks lag behind
The European Commission published the results of the 2022 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), which tracks the progress made in EU Member States in digital.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_4560
05 July 2022
Communication of the Commission, "A New European Innovation Agenda"
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52022DC0332&from=EN
March 31, April 1, 4, 5 2022 3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.
The Consumer and the Law in the new European Digital Order
Hans W. Micklitz (EUI Florence)
DSG VISITING PROFESSOR
April 4, 2022 5.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m.
The Artificial Intelligence Act Proposal and its implications for consumers
Martin Ebers (University of Tartu)
European SME week
To help create a business-friendly environment and boost SMEs' competitiveness on a regional level as well, the European Commission provides analysis, shares best practices, programmes and policy initiatives.
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/sme-strategy/european-sme-week_en
SME Assembly
The SME Assembly is the most significant event for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe. The conference takes place once a year during the European SME week. Together with the network of SME envoys, the assembly creates the governance structure of the small business act.
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/sme-strategy/sme-assembly_en
Friday, 11 February 2022 (Day 3)
PARALLEL SESSION 5.D - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND TECHNOLOGY
Panel organized with the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence “Consumers and SMEs in the Digital Single Market” University of Bologna, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
Chair Assistant: Niharika Salar
CHAIR:
Federico Ferretti, Department of Sociology and Economic Law, University of Bologna
PRESENTERS (bios and abstract available online):
Tyrone Berger, Deakin Law School, Deakin University
You Look Familiar? Impact of 3D Printing on Industrial Designs
P.S. Athira, National University of Advanced Legal Studies
Blockchains For Protection of Intellectual Property Rights: An Exploration
Lorenzo Ferruzzi, University of Bologna
Ico: An Alternative Source of Financing SMEs
PhD Student of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence “Consumers and SMEs in the Digital Single Market” University of Bologna - slide available online
Manjula Mallepalli, School of Law, Mahindra University
Impact of Digital Technologies on World Trade and Regulatory Framework
Owais Shaikh, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law
IP in the Metaverse
Kiran Sharma, School of Law, Galgotias University
3D Printing and IP Laws: Advantages and Challenges
CDM - Coalition for Competitive Digital Market
Open letter of a coalition of 50 companies coming from 16 countries (12 Member States).
https://competitivedigitalmarkets.eu/
25 November 2021
Annual Digital Consumer Event
This virtual meeting will provide participants with the possibility to discuss emerging online consumer issues, with a special focus on the next steps for EU consumer law in the area of digital fairness and on the future of the Product Safety Pledge.
This event is organised on the 25th November 2021 between 14:00 – 17:30 CET.
You can register to this event via the following link: https://digitalconsumerevent.eu/
Please note that your participation on this event is subject to confirmation of your registration by email. Should you not be able to register, please note that the event will be web-streamed on the following Commission webpage: https://ec.europa.eu/info/events/annual-digital-consumer-event-2021-nov-25_en
15-17 November 2021,
SME Assembly 2021
“The 2021 SME Assembly will be held from 15 to 17 November 2021, together with the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Subject to the rules applicable in November, we plan to go back to an on-site event and hold the assembly in Portoroz, Slovenia. The assembly will feature a combination of high-level panels and interviews, expert roundtables, interactive workshops, informative masterclasses, and innovative networking opportunities to help answer the difficult questions facing our community post-COVID” https://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/sme-strategy/sme-assembly_en
17 September 2001
Project: Internet Governance: Strengthening the Voice of SMEs
Bringing SMEs and Internet Governance together: lessons learned – shared experiences? (Draft)
Aiming at strengthening SMEs’ voices in Internet Governance, team Wolfgang Schulz from Leibniz Institute for Media Research|Hans-Bredow-Institute and Friederike and Thorsten Grothe from Grothe Medienberatung have addressed some issues in a project effort supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. This document illustrates in the form of key points and observations the result obtained.
28 July 2021
Cybersecurity for SMEs. Challenges and recommendations.
Paggio Viktor, Bafoutsou Georgia, Sarri Anna
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/196d873f-00e2-11ec-8f47-01aa75ed71a1?pk_campaign=Newsletter_October2021
27 May 2021
The Impact of SMEs on The European Economy: Conversational Briefings
Prof. Robin Jarvis and Dani Saghafi,
Speakers: David Harvey, Paul Thompson, Luc Hendrickx, Rebecca Harding, Ali Ahmadian
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/content/eu-open-business-%E2%80%93-new-compass-smes_en
25 May 2021
EU Open for Business – A New Compass for SMEs
The European Commission's Directorate-General for Entrepreneurship and SMEs is organising 'EU Open for Business - A New Compass for SMEs' 26-28 May 2021 to help small businesses navigate the digital and green transitions as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through a series of webinars, we'll present the various EU support tools and programmes on offer for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) through EU Open for Business (EUO4B). The webinars cover EU business, finance and IP support.
The event takes place 26-28 May between 10.00 and 16.00 CET.
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/content/eu-open-business-%E2%80%93-new-compass-smes_en
18 May 2021
SMEs and Digital technologies in EU regulations
Prof.ssa Maria Alessandra Stefanelli
Speaker: Prof. Paolo Borghi, Avv. Stefano Fratta, Dott.ssa Valentina Corbetta, Prof. Giuliano Lemme, Prof. Riccardo De Caria, Prof. Enrico Santarelli
11 May 2021
EU countries commit to leading the green digital transformation
26 Member States and Norway and Iceland have signed a declaration to accelerate the use of green digital technologies for the benefit of the environment. They will deploy and invest more green digital technologies to achieve climate neutrality and accelerate the green and digital transitions in priority sectors in Europe, for example by using the NextGenerationEU and InvestEU funds.
6 May 2021
Monitoring SMEs’ performance in Europe
Methodological assessment of the SME Scoreboard 2019
29 April 2021
Regulation (EU) 2021/694 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing the Digital Europe Programme and repealing Decision (EU) 2015/2240
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R0694&qid=1622193750902
26 April 2021
World IP Day: Grow your SME with intellectual property
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/content/world-ip-day-grow-your-sme-with-intellectual-property_en
12 April 2021
The Ever Given case: Risks, liabilities and compensation. The effects on SMEs as maritime transport users
Prof. Stefano Zunarelli
Speaker: Silvia Moretto
6 April 2021
New mandate of the Agency and portfolio reassignment
The EIC and COSME programmes are delegated to the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency 'EISMEA'.
https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/news/new-mandate-agency-and-portfolio-reassignment
22 March 2021
The Digital Single Market: what does it mean for SMEs and consumers?
Prof.ssa Beatrice Bertarini
Speakers: Dott.ssa Cristina Evanghelia Papadimitriu, Dott.ssa Olivia Pini, Dottor Lorenzo Ferruzzi, Dott.ssa Francesca Pellegrini
19 March 2021
Digital Day 2021: Europe to reinforce internet connectivity with global partners
At Digital Day 2021, 25 Member States, as well as Iceland and Norway, committed to reinforcing internet connectivity between Europe and its partners in Africa, Asia, the European neighbourhood, the Western Balkans and Latin America, by signing the Declaration on “European Data Gateways as a key element of the EU’s Digital Decade”.
19 March 2021
24 EU Member States commit at Digital Day to take action to support growth of EU Startups
Today at the EU Digital Day 24 EU Member States and Iceland signed the declaration on Startups Nations Standard of Excellence, to support startups across Europe in each stage of their development.
16 March 2021
Copyright
The European Commission is adapting EU copyright rules to new consumer behaviours in a Europe which values its cultural diversity.
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/copyright
15 March 2021
The GDPR and the ASEAN data protection landscape: friends or foes? Commercial implications for SMEs and beyond
Prof. Federico Ferretti
Speaker: Mr. Noriswadi Ismail
9 March 2021
Europe's Digital Decade: Commission sets the course towards a digitally empowered Europe by 2030
The Commission presented a vision, targets and avenues for a successful digital transformation of Europe by 2030. This is also critical to achieve the transition towards a climate neutral, circular and resilient economy. The EU's ambition is to be digitally sovereign in an open and interconnected world, and to pursue digital policies that empower people and businesses to seize a human centred, sustainable and more prosperous digital future. This includes addressing vulnerabilities and dependencies as well as accelerating investment.
1 March 2021
EU Open Data Days - Shaping our future with open data
Data is a key asset for digital transformation. It is a building material for research and innovation, personalised products and services, powerful new technologies and better decision-making. The EU Open Data Days, planned for 23 -25 november 2021, aim to increase awareness of this valuable asset, to explore its potential and to generate more value from it, on the way towards a European data-driven economy.
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/events/eu-open-data-days-shaping-our-future-open-data
26 February 2021
Final reports of the EU Observatory on the online platform economy
The EU Observatory for the Online Platform Economy, which informs the policy work of the Commission, by providing independent views on some of the key questions that have arisen in connection to the platform economy is today publishing the final reports from the expert group following stakeholder feedback and reactions on the progress reports which were published for consultation in July 2020.
23 February 2021
EU to set up new European Partnerships and invest nearly €10 billion for the green and digital transition
The Commission proposed today to set up 10 new European Partnerships between the European Union, Member States and/or the industry. The goal is to speed up the transition towards a green, climate neutral and digital Europe, and to make European industry more resilient and competitive. The EU will provide nearly €10 billion of funding that the partners will match with at least an equivalent amount of investment. This combined contribution is expected to mobilise additional investments in support of the transitions, and create long-term positive impacts on employment, the environment and society.
The proposed Institutionalised European Partnerships aim to improve EU preparedness and response to infectious diseases, develop efficient low-carbon aircraft for clean aviation, support the use of renewable biological raw materials in energy production, ensure European leadership in digital technologies and infrastructures, and make rail transport more competitive.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_702
15 December 2020
NEW
Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector (Digital Markets Act)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2020%3A842%3AFIN
Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on a Single Market For Digital Services (Digital Services Act) and amending Directive 2000/31/EC
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=COM:2020:825:FIN
SMEs, Digital Markets and the New Approach to European Competition Policy
by Professor Emanuela Carbonara, University of Bologna, Full Professor of Economic Policy.
In order to protect users and to create a more competitive and efficient environment in digital markets, in December 2020 the European Commission has proposed the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. These two legislative initiatives are introducing a very innovative framework into European Competition Law. On the one hand, the Commission is considering adopting a form of ex-ante regulation, formulating a blacklist of unlawful and forbidden behaviors and a whitelist of obligations for dominant market operators (platforms), identified as gatekeepers. On the other hand, the DG Competition would be granted the power to impose remedies in digital markets without the need to identify a specific competition law infringement. This legal innovation follows the changed attitude toward the big platforms, both in Europe and in the United States. Currently, there is a heated debate about the opportunity and the potential effects of these Acts, that, in many aspects, would represent a major departure from the more effect-based, rule of reason approach followed by the Commission in its recent past. An aspect that, so far, seems to be missing from the discussion is the impact that this act will have on European small and medium enterprises, operating either in the digital services sector, or in other sectors but using platforms to distribute and develop their products. Recent data seem to reveal that SMEs benefitted from the opportunity to access digital markets to sell their products online during the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, platforms seem to be characterized by undeniable scale and network economies. The return to a sort of a per-se competition policy in the guise of regulation might have an ambiguous impact on market structure, with its effects bypassing the boundaries of the markets for digital services and spreading to the more traditional sectors of goods and services that are relying more and more on online distribution
10 March 2020
An SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe
From the introduction of the Strategy "Europe’s 25 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the EU economy. They employ around 100 million people, account for more than half of Europe’s GDP and play a key role in adding value in every sector of the economy. SMEs bring innovative solutions to challenges like climate change, resource efficiency and social cohesion and help spread this innovation throughout Europe’s regions. They are therefore central to the EU’s twin transitions to a sustainable and digital economy. They are essential to Europe’s competitiveness and prosperity, economic and technological sovereignty, and resilience to external shocks. As such, they are a core part of the achievement of the EU’s industrial strategy".
Last annual report on European SMEs
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/sme-strategy/performance-review_en
