Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Hedensted

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Hedensted, Denmark

E-commerce and internet law covers the rules that apply when you sell goods or services online, operate a website or app, collect and process personal data, advertise digitally, or manage online content. In Denmark these rules come from Danish statutes, implementing EU directives and regulations, plus EU-wide regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR. Most substantive legal duties and rights are national and EU-wide, so businesses in Hedensted follow the same core rules as other Danish sellers. Local aspects relate to business registration, tax administration and local consumer-service contacts available through Hedensted Kommune.

Key topics include consumer protection and distance-sale rules, online contract formation, data protection and cookies, marketing rules, payment regulation and fraud prevention, intellectual-property rights, product safety and liability, and platform-hosting rules. New EU initiatives such as the Digital Services Act and evolving e-commerce VAT rules also affect online sellers operating in Denmark.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Running an online business raises many legal questions that often benefit from specialist legal advice. Common situations where a lawyer can help include:

- Drafting or reviewing terms and conditions, privacy policies and cookie notices so they meet Danish and EU requirements.

- Conducting GDPR compliance work, preparing data processing agreements and handling data breach response and notifications.

- Advising on consumer-rights obligations for distance selling - for example how to handle cancellations, refunds and warranty claims.

- Responding to consumer complaints or enforcement actions from the Danish Consumer Ombudsman or other authorities.

- Handling disputes over payments, chargebacks or cross-border sales, and representing you in mediation or court if necessary.

- Advising on marketing compliance - including misleading advertising, influencer disclosures and e-mail or SMS marketing rules.

- Managing intellectual-property issues - trademarks, copyrights, licensing, and domain-name disputes.

- Negotiating contracts with marketplaces, payment providers, logistics partners and software suppliers.

- Advising on regulatory issues such as product safety, industry-specific rules and obligations under payments regulation such as PSD2 and strong customer authentication.

Local Laws Overview

This section summarizes the most relevant legal regimes that apply to online businesses operating from Hedensted or serving Danish consumers.

- Consumer protection and distance selling - Danish law implements EU distance-selling rules. Consumers usually have a 14-day right of withdrawal for purchases made online, with certain exceptions such as bespoke or sealed hygiene goods. Businesses must provide clear pre-contractual information - identity, main product features, total price, delivery costs, right of withdrawal and how to complain.

- Warranty and defect rules - Danish sale-of-goods rules provide consumer rights for defective goods. Consumers commonly have a two-year period to claim conformity of goods. Remedies can include repair, replacement, price reduction or refund depending on the circumstances.

- E-commerce Act and electronic contracts - Danish legislation requires clear business information on websites, transparent order processes and confirmation of orders. Electronic contracting rules govern when a contract is formed and the information the trader must give prior to purchase.

- Data protection and cookies - GDPR applies across Denmark. You must have lawful legal bases for personal-data processing, a privacy policy, data processing agreements with processors, and appropriate security measures. Non-essential cookies and tracking usually require informed consent. The Danish Data Protection Agency supervises compliance.

- Marketing and advertising - The Danish Marketing Practices Act bans misleading practices and sets rules for direct marketing. Electronic marketing to consumers is tightly regulated and often requires prior consent or a clear opt-in, depending on the channel and the customer relationship.

- Payment services and taxation - Payment services are regulated at EU level under PSD2, which includes requirements for authentication and secure payment flows. VAT rules apply to sales in Denmark and cross-border sales. Since mid-2021 new EU VAT rules affect distance sales and the One-Stop-Shop system may be relevant for sellers shipping across EU borders. SKAT handles tax and VAT compliance.

- Intellectual property and domain names - Copyright and trademark laws protect creative works and brands. For trademark registration and advice about industrial property you can use the Danish Patent and Trademark Office. Domain disputes for .dk names are handled by DK Hostmaster procedures.

- Platform liability - Under the E-commerce Directive implemented in Danish law, online intermediaries such as hosting providers and marketplaces can have limited liability for third-party content, but they must act on notices and may have extended obligations under newer EU rules such as the Digital Services Act.

- Enforcement and dispute resolution - National bodies such as the Danish Consumer Ombudsman enforce marketing and consumer laws, while Forbrugerklagenævnet handles many consumer complaints. Courts deal with contractual and tort disputes, and alternative dispute resolution schemes may be available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my online business in Denmark?

If you operate a business in Denmark you must register with the Danish Business Authority so you get a CVR number. You also need to register for VAT with SKAT if your sales exceed the VAT-registration threshold or if you provide VAT-taxable services. Registration rules depend on the business structure and whether you sell domestically or internationally.

What information must be on my e-commerce website?

Your site should clearly state the business name, business address, CVR number, contact information, main features of products or services, total price including VAT and fees, delivery costs and estimated delivery time, right of withdrawal and how to return goods, the complaints process and terms and conditions. For digital content you must give clear information about functionality and compatibility.

How long can customers return goods bought online?

Consumers normally have a 14-day right of withdrawal for distance contracts, starting when they receive the goods. There are exceptions, such as custom-made items or sealed goods that cannot be returned for hygiene reasons. You must provide a cancellation form and refund the consumer promptly when a valid withdrawal is made.

What are my GDPR obligations as an online seller?

You must have a lawful basis for collecting and processing personal data, provide a clear privacy notice, implement technical and organisational measures to protect data, have data processing agreements with any third-party processors, and be ready to respond to data subject requests. High-risk processing may require a data protection impact assessment, and serious personal-data breaches usually must be notified to the Danish Data Protection Agency within 72 hours.

Do I need consent for cookies and tracking?

Essential cookies needed for the site to function usually do not require consent, but non-essential cookies used for analytics, marketing or tracking typically require informed consent. Consent must be freely given, specific and documented. You should provide information about cookie purposes and an easy way for users to withdraw consent.

What rules apply to online marketing and influencer advertising?

Marketing must not be misleading and must be clearly identifiable as advertising. Paid collaborations, sponsored posts and influencer marketing need transparent disclosure so consumers understand when content is commercial. Electronic direct marketing often requires prior consent, and special rules apply to promotions and contests.

How do I handle a data breach or cyber incident?

If you experience a personal-data breach you should contain the incident, assess the risk to rights and freedoms, document the breach and notify the Danish Data Protection Agency if there is a likely risk to individuals, generally within 72 hours. If the breach poses a high risk to individuals, you must also inform affected data subjects without undue delay. A lawyer can help manage notifications and regulatory communications.

What VAT and cross-border tax rules should I know?

Prices shown to consumers should normally include VAT. If you sell across EU borders, new VAT rules may require registration in an EU OSS scheme or collection of VAT in the consumer's member state depending on your sales volumes and model. For sales outside the EU, customs and import VAT rules apply. Speak with a tax advisor or SKAT for precise registration and reporting obligations.

Can I be liable for user-generated content on my platform?

Under current rules there is limited liability for intermediaries that merely store or transmit third-party content, provided they do not have actual knowledge of illegal content or fail to act once notified. However, active roles in promoting or curating content may increase your obligations and liability. New EU rules may impose additional duties on larger platforms and very large online platforms.

What should I do if a customer files a complaint or starts a dispute?

Respond promptly and follow any internal complaints procedure. Try to resolve the matter directly through refund, repair or replacement if appropriate. If you cannot resolve the issue, Danish consumers can contact Forbrugerklagenævnet for complaints or use alternative dispute-resolution schemes. Keep records of communications, contracts and delivery evidence. If litigation is threatened, consult a lawyer early to understand your options and costs.

Additional Resources

Below are Danish authorities and organisations that provide information, supervision or assistance relevant to e-commerce and internet law:

- Danish Data Protection Agency - Datatilsynet

- Danish Consumer Ombudsman - Forbrugerombudsmanden

- Consumer Complaints Board - Forbrugerklagenævnet

- Danish Business Authority - Erhvervsstyrelsen (business registration and company rules)

- SKAT - Danish Tax Agency (VAT and tax rules)

- Danish Competition and Consumer Authority - Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen

- Danish Patent and Trademark Office - Patent- og Varemærkestyrelsen

- DK Hostmaster - administration of .dk domain names

- Hedensted Kommune - local business services and guidance

- Danish Bar and Law Society - Advokatsamfundet (to find authorised lawyers)

- Industry associations such as Dansk Erhverv and Dansk Industri often provide practical guidance and templates for e-commerce businesses

- EU online dispute-resolution and EU legal resources for cross-border e-commerce matters

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance with e-commerce or internet law in Hedensted, consider the following practical steps:

- Clarify the issue - identify the legal topics involved, the timelines, and any urgent actions required such as stopping a campaign or containing a data breach.

- Gather documentation - contracts, order confirmations, privacy notices, cookies and logs, correspondence with customers, invoices and delivery records.

- Contact a specialist lawyer - look for experience in data protection, consumer law, digital-contracting or IP depending on your need. Use the Danish Bar and Law Society to find authorised attorneys and check specialisations.

- Ask for an initial consultation and a clear fee structure - request a written scope and fixed-fee estimate where possible so there are no surprises.

- Implement interim risk controls - for example update a cookie banner, pause disputed listings, change a marketing message, or apply temporary technical controls to limit data exposure.

- Consider alternative dispute resolution - mediation or complaint boards can be faster and less costly than court.

- Plan for compliance - schedule a privacy audit, review terms and conditions, and check VAT and tax obligations as part of an ongoing compliance program.

Seeking early legal advice can reduce the cost and reputational risk of disputes or regulatory enforcement. If you are based in Hedensted, start by consulting local business support at Hedensted Kommune and then contact a specialist lawyer to guide you through the specific legal steps required for your situation.