Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Gryfice

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Gryfice, Poland

This guide explains the main legal issues that affect online businesses and internet activity in Gryfice, Poland. E-commerce and internet law covers rules on online contracts, consumer protection, data protection, electronic payments, taxes, intellectual property and liability for online content. Many rules are national Polish law, while others come from European Union regulations that apply throughout Poland. If you run an online shop, provide digital services, publish content, or collect personal data in Gryfice, you operate in a legal framework designed to protect consumers, ensure fair competition and secure personal data.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

People and businesses in Gryfice commonly need a lawyer for practical and complex issues such as:

- Setting up terms and conditions, privacy policies and cookie notices that comply with Polish and EU law.

- Advising on consumer rights for distance contracts - for example right of withdrawal and information duties.

- Handling complaints, disputes and potential court or arbitration proceedings with customers or suppliers.

- Ensuring GDPR compliance when collecting, storing and transferring personal data of customers.

- Structuring cross-border sales inside the EU and outside - VAT, customs, and One-Stop Shop (OSS) obligations.

- Responding to claims about intellectual property - copyright, trademarks and counterfeit goods.

- Addressing liability for user-generated content, hosting and intermediary liability.

- Drafting commercial agreements with platforms, payment providers, suppliers and affiliates.

- Representing you before administrative bodies - for example the data protection authority or consumer protection authorities.

- Advising on e-invoicing, electronic signatures and use of electronic trust services under eIDAS.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal instruments that are particularly relevant in Gryfice and throughout Poland include:

- Ustawa o świadczeniu usług drogą elektroniczną - the Act on Providing Services by Electronic Means. It sets rules on information duties, commercial communications, and basic requirements for online service providers.

- Ustawa o prawach konsumenta - the Consumer Rights Act. It governs distance contracts, mandatory pre-contract information, the 14-day withdrawal period for consumers and rules on delivery and returns.

- The Polish Civil Code (Kodeks cywilny) - general contract law and liability rules that apply to online agreements.

- GDPR - the EU General Data Protection Regulation - and related national provisions. GDPR determines lawful bases for processing personal data, privacy notices, data subject rights and breach reporting.

- Payment Services Act and PSD2 - rules on payment services, strong customer authentication and relationships with payment service providers.

- VAT law and EU rules including OSS - rules for taxation of cross-border sales of goods and digital services.

- Ustawa o prawie autorskim i prawach pokrewnych - Polish copyright law that affects digital content, licensing and user permissions.

- Law on combating unfair commercial practices and unfair competition - these regulate advertising, pricing, misleading statements and comparators.

- eIDAS Regulation - EU rules on electronic identification and trust services like electronic signatures, which affect contract formation and document validity.

Local administrative and enforcement bodies - for example the regional courts, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), the Inspectorate for Trade Inspection and the President of the Personal Data Protection Office (PUODO) - handle disputes and enforcement in practice. In Gryfice you can also use county-level consumer advice points and local courts for initial filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to display specific information on my online shop's website?

Yes. Under Polish law you must provide clear pre-contract information including your business name, address, contact details, company registration number (KRS or CEIDG), NIP (tax ID) when applicable, main characteristics of goods or services, total price including taxes, delivery costs, payment and delivery terms, the right of withdrawal and complaint procedures. This information is often placed in a terms and conditions page and an easy-to-find information section.

What are consumers rights when buying online in Poland?

Consumers generally have a 14-day right of withdrawal for distance contracts of goods and many services, starting from receipt of the goods. There are exceptions, for example sealed digital content or personalised goods. Sellers must provide required pre-contract information and refund the consumer within a statutory timeframe if a withdrawal is made. Additional rights stem from warranty and consumer protection laws.

How does GDPR affect my online business in Gryfice?

GDPR requires you to have a lawful basis for processing personal data, publish a clear privacy policy, implement appropriate security measures, respond to data subject rights requests, and notify the supervisory authority and affected people in the event of certain data breaches. Larger processing activities or high-risk processing may require record keeping and data protection impact assessments. In Poland the supervisory authority is the President of the Personal Data Protection Office (PUODO).

What rules apply to cookies and tracking technologies?

Cookies that are not strictly necessary usually require the user consent prior to placement. You must explain what cookies are used and for what purpose, allow users to accept or refuse non-essential cookies, and provide a way to withdraw consent. The information should be accessible in a cookie policy or privacy policy.

How do I handle cross-border sales inside the EU?

Cross-border sales bring VAT and consumer rules from both EU and national perspectives. For distance sales of goods and some services, use of the One-Stop Shop (OSS) simplifies VAT reporting for B2C supplies. You must also respect consumer protection rules applicable in the buyer's country. Clear delivery terms, returns rules and proper invoicing are essential.

Can I rely on a platform to handle all legal obligations when I sell on a marketplace?

Using a marketplace does not automatically remove your legal responsibilities. You are typically still responsible for complying with consumer information obligations, product safety, warranty claims and tax obligations unless the platform explicitly takes on those obligations under its contract. Check the platform contract carefully and obtain legal advice on liability allocation.

What should I do if someone claims copyright infringement against my website?

Take the claim seriously. Preserve evidence, review the allegedly infringing content and evaluate whether the claim is valid. If the claim is mistaken, you may respond with a reasoned statement. If content was posted by users, intermediary liability rules and notice-and-takedown procedures may apply. Consider seeking a lawyer experienced in intellectual property before removing content or acknowledging liability.

What liability do I have for user-generated content on my site?

Intermediary liability rules offer some protection for hosting providers, but liability can arise if you have actual knowledge of illegal content and fail to act, or if you exercise editorial control that makes you an active publisher. Implement clear terms of use, moderation policies and a prompt takedown procedure for illegal content.

How should I handle customer complaints and disputes?

Maintain a clear internal complaints procedure that acknowledges receipt quickly, investigates and provides a remedy within a reasonable time. For consumer disputes you may need to offer out-of-court settlement options, and consumers can use the EU online dispute resolution platform or national consumer mediation and arbitration bodies. Keeping good records and polite communication reduces escalation risk.

When should I consult an e-commerce lawyer in Gryfice?

Consult a lawyer before launching a new online business, when drafting or updating terms and privacy policies, before entering cross-border contracts, after receiving regulatory notices, when facing IP claims, or when significant disputes arise. Early legal input helps prevent costly compliance failures and disputes.

Additional Resources

Useful Polish and European institutions and organizations to contact or consult include:

- President of the Personal Data Protection Office - PUODO - for questions on data protection and GDPR interpretation in Poland.

- Office of Competition and Consumer Protection - UOKiK - for issues on unfair commercial practices and consumer rights.

- Inspectorate for Trade Inspection - Inspekcja Handlowa - for product compliance and consumer protection enforcement.

- Polish Patent Office - Urząd Patentowy Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej - for trademark and patent matters.

- Local consumer advice points and county consumer ombudsman - available through the Gryfice county office or municipal office - for free consumer guidance.

- District and regional courts - for filing civil claims or checking procedural rules - the regional court in Szczecin may handle some matters for the West Pomeranian region.

- Local bar associations and chambers of legal counsel - for referrals to lawyers experienced in e-commerce and internet law in the West Pomeranian area.

- Polish Chamber of Commerce and local business support centers - for practical advice on running an online business and compliance.

- European Commission online dispute resolution platform and guidance on cross-border e-commerce - for EU-wide dispute resolution information.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance in Gryfice, follow these practical steps:

- Gather documentation - contracts, terms and conditions, privacy policy, order records, invoices, correspondence and screenshots of any disputed content or transactions.

- Identify the main issue - compliance, dispute, enforcement notice, IP claim, data breach or tax question - so you can describe the problem clearly.

- Contact a lawyer experienced in e-commerce and internet law. Ask for an initial consultation to assess risks, required actions and estimated costs. If you prefer local help, ask about experience with Polish consumer law, GDPR and cross-border sales.

- Consider free or low-cost local resources first - county consumer advice points, free legal aid points and business support centers can provide initial guidance.

- Prepare questions for your lawyer - for example how to limit future liability, update policies, respond to a claim or represent you in court or in front of an authority.

- Act promptly on urgent issues - data breaches, consumer withdrawal requests, regulatory deadlines and court procedures have strict time limits.

- Follow the lawyer's advice on remediation steps - this may include updating website information, changing processes, settling disputes or filing formal responses.

Getting timely legal advice protects your business reputation and reduces cost and disruption. If you are unsure where to start, a local consultation in Gryfice or with a West Pomeranian based lawyer will help you map the next concrete steps.