‘Disruptive innovation’, ‘the fourth industrial revolution’, ‘one of the ten ideas that will change the world’; the collaborative/sharing economy is shaking existing norms. It poses unprecedented challenges in terms of both material policies and governance in almost all aspects of EU law.

This book explores the application – or indeed inadequacy – of existing EU rules in the context of the collaborative economy. It analyses the novelties introduced by the collaborative economy and discusses the specific regulatory needs and instruments employed therein, most notably self-regulation. Further, it aims to elucidate the legal status of the parties involved (traders, consumers, prosumers) in these multi-sided economies, and their respective roles in the provision of services, especially with regard to liability issues. Moreover, it delves into a sector-specific examination of the relevant EU rules, especially on data protection, competition, consumer protection and labour law, and comments on the uncertainties and lacunae produced therein. It concludes with the acute question of whether fresh EU regulation would be necessary to avoid fragmentation or, on the contrary, if such regulation would create unnecessary burdens and stifle innovation.

Taking a broad perspective and pragmatic view, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the collaborative economy in the context of the EU legal landscape.

Hatzopoulos’ book is a most welcome piece of work, not only because it represents an exceptionally well-written and coherent academic piece, but because it also provides one of the first, if not the first, complete and in-depth examination of the collaborative economy from the perspective of different branches of EU Law. -- Mateja Durovic, Lecturer in Contract and Commercial Law, King’s College London * European Review of Private Law *
This book is ground-breaking. It is the first elaborate book on the subject matter, written in a very accessible and well-researched way. Its categorizations and mapping of the applicable law to the phenomena of the platform economy have the potential to set the standards for legal scholarship and practitioner’s work alike. -- Kai Purnhagen * Common Market Law Review *
The book contains numerous visionary ideas. Even in the fast-changing world of collaborative platforms, the book will remain a source of reference in the years to come. -- Caroline Cauffman, University of Maastricht * European Law Review *

Vassilis Hatzopoulos is Professor of EU Law and Policies at the Panteion University of Athens; Provost of the European Law and Governance School, Athens; and Visiting Professor at the College of Europe, Bruges. He is also an Attorney-at-Law of the Athens Bar.