Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Borki

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Borki, Poland

This guide gives an accessible overview of the main legal issues that affect online business and internet activities for people in Borki, Poland. E-commerce and internet law in Poland is shaped by a combination of national statutes, EU regulations and local administrative practices. Key national laws include the Civil Code, the Act on Providing Services by Electronic Means, consumer protection rules, tax and accounting obligations, and data protection rules based on the EU General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR. Local authorities in Borki handle business registrations, local consumer complaints and court proceedings when a case falls within local jurisdiction. If you run an online store, operate an online platform, publish content, or handle personal data of users, you will need to consider these rules to reduce legal risk and protect your business and customers.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can help you translate legal requirements into practical steps and protect your interests. Common situations in which people in Borki seek legal help include:

- Setting up a compliant e-commerce business structure and registering correctly with CEIDG or the National Court Register (KRS).

- Drafting or reviewing terms and conditions, privacy policies and cookie notices to meet Polish and EU requirements.

- Handling consumer disputes, returns, warranty claims and compliance with the Consumer Rights Act and distance selling rules.

- Ensuring GDPR compliance, drafting data processing agreements with service providers, and responding to data subject requests or supervisory authority inquiries.

- Defending or pursuing claims in civil court related to non-payment, breach of contract, or fraud.

- Protecting intellectual property - trademarks, domain disputes, or dealing with counterfeit products and platform takedown procedures.

- Advising on tax, VAT and cross-border sales issues that affect pricing, invoicing and reporting.

- Managing liability and content-moderation issues for online platforms and user-generated content.

- Responding to regulatory investigations or enforcement actions from authorities such as the Data Protection Authority or competition and consumer protection offices.

Local Laws Overview

The regulatory framework that impacts e-commerce in Borki is largely national and EU-based, but local institutions and courts are where many disputes get resolved. Key aspects to keep in mind:

- Business registration and local permits - individuals starting an online business typically register in CEIDG for sole traders, or KRS for companies. Local municipal offices in Borki can advise on permits, trade regulations and municipal tax matters.

- Consumer protection - Polish law implements EU consumer protection directives, regulating pre-contract information, right of withdrawal, delivery obligations, and warranty rules. You must provide clear information to consumers before and after sale and respect statutory cancellation and complaint processes.

- Electronic services and distance contracts - the Act on Providing Services by Electronic Means sets rules for contract formation online, required information on websites, and technical steps for concluding contracts.

- Data protection - GDPR applies across Poland. Organisations processing personal data must have legal bases for processing, provide privacy notices, implement security measures, and respect data subject rights. The national supervisory authority is Urzad Ochrony Danych Osobowych (UODO).

- Intellectual property - trademarks, copyrights and other IP rights are protected under Polish and EU law. Online sellers must avoid infringing rights and should respond to platform takedown and notice procedures.

- Payment services and electronic payments - payment obligations, consumer payment protections and anti-fraud rules apply. Payment service providers are regulated, and merchants need to comply with VAT and invoicing rules administered by local tax offices (Urzad Skarbowy).

- Competition and consumer enforcement - the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) enforces unfair commercial practices, misleading advertising and restrictions of competition. Local consumer advocates and courts in the relevant district handle many disputes.

- Local courts and dispute resolution - if a dispute escalates, the district court with jurisdiction over Borki will typically hear civil claims. Alternative dispute resolution and mediation are often encouraged before litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my online store to sell from Borki?

Yes. If you sell goods or services as a business activity you must register your business. Sole traders register in CEIDG, while companies register in the National Court Register (KRS). Even small or home-based e-commerce activities usually require registration for tax and consumer protection compliance.

What laws and regulations apply to online sellers in Poland?

Primary rules include the Civil Code, the Act on Providing Services by Electronic Means, consumer protection laws for distance selling, GDPR for data protection, tax and VAT laws, and sector-specific rules where relevant. EU directives and regulations also apply directly to many matters, such as cross-border consumer rights and data protection.

How do I make terms and conditions and a privacy policy that comply with Polish law?

Terms and conditions should clearly state the parties, the object of the contract, price, delivery, cancellation and complaint procedures, and dispute resolution. Privacy policies must explain what personal data you collect, legal bases for processing, retention periods, recipients and data subject rights. Because legal requirements change and depend on your business model, a lawyer can draft or review these documents to reduce risk.

What are my obligations for returns and refunds?

For sales to consumers, Polish law and EU rules provide a statutory right of withdrawal for distance contracts, typically 14 days from receipt. Sellers must inform consumers about this right and provide refund procedures. There are exceptions, for example for bespoke goods. You must also handle warranty claims and seller liability under statutory guarantees.

How do I comply with GDPR when I run an online shop?

Start by mapping what personal data you process and why, implement technical and organisational safeguards, put in place a privacy notice and cookie information, lawfully document data processing bases, and have data processing agreements with service providers. Be prepared to handle subject access requests and to notify breaches when required. A data protection impact assessment may be necessary for higher-risk processing.

What should I do if a customer files a complaint or takes legal action?

Respond promptly, gather and preserve records of the transaction and communications, evaluate whether the claim can be resolved commercially or requires legal defence, and consider mediation or alternative dispute resolution before court. If legal action is likely, consult a lawyer to assess liability, prepare defences and meet procedural deadlines.

Who enforces consumer and competition rules in Poland?

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) is the main national regulator for competition and consumer protection. Local consumer ombudsmen and district courts also handle consumer complaints. For data protection issues, the UODO is the supervisory authority.

How do I protect my brand and products online?

Register trademarks where needed, monitor marketplaces for counterfeit listings, use platform takedown procedures, keep clear records of supply chains and invoices, and work with a lawyer to issue cease-and-desist letters or to bring infringement claims if appropriate. Prevention and active monitoring reduce risk and costs.

What about cross-border sales to other EU countries?

Cross-border sales are allowed but require attention to VAT rules, consumer protection standards, language and information duties, and sometimes different return or warranty expectations. You must follow applicable EU rules and be prepared to comply with consumer law in the purchaser's member state in many cases.

How do I find a qualified lawyer in Borki for e-commerce matters?

Look for lawyers or law firms with experience in e-commerce, internet law, data protection and consumer law. Ask for references, check professional credentials, and request an initial consultation to assess fit. Local chambers of commerce or business associations can recommend practitioners familiar with regional and national regulations.

Additional Resources

Below are key institutions and resources that can help you understand obligations and find support in Poland. Contacting the appropriate authority or institution can help with specific administrative or regulatory questions:

- Urzad Ochrony Danych Osobowych - national data protection authority for GDPR-related matters.

- Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) - regulator for consumer rights and competition issues.

- Central Register and Information on Economic Activity (CEIDG) - for sole trader registration and related business information.

- National Court Register (KRS) - for company registration and official filings.

- Local tax office (Urzad Skarbowy) - for VAT and tax registration and queries.

- Local municipal office in Borki - for trade permits, municipal taxes and consumer mediator contacts.

- District court with jurisdiction over Borki - civil litigation and dispute resolution.

- Chambers of commerce and local business associations - practical guidance, networking and workshops.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance for an e-commerce or internet law matter in Borki, consider the following practical steps:

- Prepare basic documents and facts before contacting a lawyer - business registration details, website terms, privacy policy, sample sales contracts, invoices and correspondence related to any dispute.

- Book an initial consultation - many lawyers offer a first meeting to evaluate the case and explain possible strategies and fees. Ask whether they charge a fixed fee or hourly rate and request a fee estimate.

- Prioritise compliance gaps - start with registration, consumer information, privacy policies and tax registration if these are not yet in place. Small changes made early reduce enforcement and reputational risk.

- Consider alternative dispute resolution - mediation or negotiated settlement can be faster and cheaper than court proceedings for many e-commerce disputes.

- Keep records and logs - maintain transactional records, backup evidence of deliveries, customer communications and technical logs that may be important in disputes or regulatory inquiries.

- Plan for cross-border issues - if you sell outside Poland, get advice on VAT, consumer law differences and language or jurisdiction clauses in contracts.

If you are unsure where to start, reach out to a lawyer experienced in Polish e-commerce and internet law and explain your situation. A short consultation can help you understand risks and map a practical action plan tailored to your business in Borki.