Volume II

Issue : 6: March 18, 2004

• Protest Site Withstands Scrutiny under Anticybersquatting Legislation
• EC Data Protection Directive Working Party Critical of Canadian Airline Passenger Information Program
• U.S. Federal Communications Commission Releases VoIP Rulemaking Initiative
• Online Pharmacy Takes Federal Government to Court
• Spam Lawsuits Filed by U.S. Internet Providers Include Canadian Defendants
• RIAA Ordered to Sue "John Doe" Defendants Individually; Recording Companies Seek Copyright Fees from Chinese Karaoke Bars
• B.C. Introduces New Consumer Protection Bills
• Utah Passes First State Net Filtering Bill
• Information Broker Pays Settlement to Mother of Slain Girl
• The European Union Passes New Antipiracy Law

Home > Volume II > Issue 6: March 18, 2004 > B.C. Introduces New Consumer Protection Bills

B.C. Introduces New Consumer Protection Bills

The government in British Columbia introduced two new Bills on February 26, 2003: the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (Bill 2) and the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority Act (Bill 4). These Bills will repeal and replace six consumer statutes.

Bill 2 establishes, among other things, rules for consumer contracts over the Internet. If Bill 2 becomes law, a supplier will be required to disclose certain information before a consumer enters into an electronic contract, including information about the supplier's email address, detailed description of the goods, currency, delivery arrangements, cancellation, return, exchange and refund policies, etc. The information must be provided in a manner that: (1) requires the consumer to access the information; and (2) allows the consumer to retain and print the information. In addition, the supplier must give the consumer an express opportunity to correct errors in the contract and to accept or decline the contract. Within 15 days the consumer must be given a copy of the contract either by email or any other manner that enables the supplier to prove that the customer has received the contract. The consumer then has seven days to cancel a contract that does not comply with the law's requirements.

Bill 4 establishes an independent authority to administer the law, which would operate at arm's length from government as a non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors.

For a copy of these Bills, visit:
http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th5th/1st_read/gov02-1-toc.htm
http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th5th/1st_read/gov04-1.htm