Abstract/Summary

In the case of L'Oreal/eBay the Court of Justice of the European Union answered preliminary questions concerning a number of directives regarding the liability of online auction sites in the sale of fake goods as well as parallel imports. While the decision in not directly concerned with the interests of consumers, and primarily dealing with the protection of trade mark owners, it is likely to have important effects on consumers since they will be the ultimate beneficiaries of a marked change in the way Internet Service Providers' liability will be assessed and force online auction platforms to better police their sites.