Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Moschato

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Moschato, Greece

This guide explains the main legal issues that affect online business owners, platform operators, freelancers and consumers in Moschato - a suburb of Piraeus in the Attica region. E-commerce and internet law in Greece is shaped by European Union regulations and directives, national statutes and local administrative practice. Key legal themes include consumer protection for distance sales, data protection and privacy, electronic contracts and signatures, payment rules and taxation, intellectual property and online dispute resolution. If you run a web shop, offer digital services, manage a marketplace, or operate online marketing in Moschato, you must comply with a mix of EU and Greek rules and respond to local administrative bodies and courts based in the Piraeus area.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Legal advice helps you reduce risk, avoid fines and resolve disputes quickly. Common situations where an e-commerce or internet lawyer is needed include:

- Setting up your business and choosing the right corporate form, registering with the General Commercial Registry - G.E.MI., and meeting tax registration requirements.

- Drafting or reviewing website terms and conditions, privacy policies, cookie notices and disclaimers to ensure compliance with GDPR and consumer law.

- Handling data protection compliance: data processing records, legal bases, DPIAs, data processing agreements with vendors and incident notification procedures.

- Advising on VAT, cross-border sales, OSS registration and pricing issues for EU and non-EU customers.

- Negotiating or drafting contracts with suppliers, payment service providers, platform operators, or software licensors.

- Responding to consumer complaints, refund requests, returns and compliance with the Greek consumer protection framework.

- Enforcing or defending intellectual property claims, domain name disputes or takedown notices for copyright-infringing content.

- Managing online fraud, account hijacking, cyber incidents and coordinating with the Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Unit.

- Litigating in local courts, representing you before administrative bodies or exploring alternative dispute resolution and arbitration.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal instruments and local bodies you should be aware of when operating in Moschato:

- EU regulations that apply directly in Greece: General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR for personal data; eIDAS for electronic identification and trust services; PSD2 for payment services and strong customer authentication.

- Greek transposition and national laws: Greek consumer protection laws implementing the EU distance-selling and consumer rights directives, and the national legislation implementing the E-commerce Directive. Notable Greek statutes and amendments regulate distance contracts, unfair commercial practices and online advertising.

- Data protection oversight: The Hellenic Data Protection Authority enforces GDPR compliance in Greece and issues guidance relevant to e-commerce sites, tracking technologies and international data transfers.

- Electronic commerce rules: Requirements for pre-contractual information, providing clear contact details, order confirmation and information on delivery and cancellation rights for consumers.

- Payment and tax rules: VAT rules for e-commerce (including OSS for intra-EU sales), local registration and tax reporting obligations handled through the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE, and compliance requirements set by payment service providers under PSD2.

- Intellectual property and content responsibility: Copyright and trademark laws apply to online content, and Greek law provides mechanisms for takedown and enforcement. Service providers also follow notice-and-action procedures under the E-commerce Directive.

- Cybersecurity and criminal law: Cybercrime provisions under the Greek Criminal Code and operational support from the Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Unit for serious intrusions, fraud and data breaches.

- Local enforcement and dispute forums: Consumer disputes can be brought before administrative bodies or courts; commercial and civil disputes for residents and businesses in Moschato are usually handled in the Piraeus courts. The Piraeus Bar Association serves as the local lawyers professional body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to display a privacy policy and cookie notice on my e-commerce site?

Yes. Under GDPR you must publish a clear privacy notice describing what personal data you collect, why you process it, how long you retain it and the rights of data subjects. Cookies that are not strictly necessary require informed consent before placement, so a cookie notice and consent mechanism is normally required.

What information must I provide before a consumer completes an online purchase?

Before concluding a distance contract you must provide the seller identity, contact details, main characteristics of the goods or services, total price including taxes and fees, delivery costs, payment, delivery and withdrawal terms, the right of withdrawal and the duration of the contract if applicable.

How does GDPR affect small e-commerce businesses in Moschato?

GDPR applies to any business processing personal data of EU residents, regardless of size. Small businesses must implement basic privacy measures: lawfulness of processing, data minimization, security measures, records of processing activities when required, and procedures for data subject requests and breach notification. A lawyer can help tailor compliance steps to your operations.

When should I register for VAT and use the OSS scheme?

VAT registration depends on turnover thresholds and the location of customers. For sales to private consumers in other EU countries, the One-Stop Shop - OSS simplifies VAT reporting. You should consult an accountant or lawyer early to determine if and when to register, and whether OSS is appropriate for your cross-border sales.

Can I use standard terms and template contracts from the internet?

Templates can be a starting point, but they often need adaptation to Greek and EU law and to your specific business model. Using unreviewed templates risks non-compliance with mandatory consumer protections or data protection obligations. A lawyer can adapt templates to reduce liability.

What happens if a customer requests to exercise their GDPR rights?

Customers can request access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability or object to processing. You must assess requests promptly, usually within one month, and provide a lawful response. Complex requests may justify an extension, but you must document the process and inform the requester.

How do I handle intellectual property complaints or takedown requests?

If you receive a complaint alleging copyright or trademark infringement, follow notice-and-action rules: evaluate the claim, remove or disable access if legitimate and inform the complainant. If you are the one facing takedowns, you can submit a counter-notice. Complex claims often require legal support to avoid liability.

What is the best way to protect my online business from fraud and cyberattacks?

Combine technical measures and legal preparedness. Technical steps include secure hosting, HTTPS, strong authentication, regular security audits, backups and incident response plans. Legally, ensure contractual protections with vendors, notify affected customers and authorities promptly if personal data is compromised, and consider cyber-insurance.

Which court or authority handles e-commerce disputes for Moschato businesses?

Most civil and commercial disputes involving Moschato businesses are heard before the courts in Piraeus, including the Piraeus Court of First Instance and the Commercial Court where applicable. Administrative matters may be handled by national regulators such as the Hellenic Data Protection Authority or EETT depending on the issue.

How much will a lawyer cost and what should I ask before hiring one?

Costs vary by complexity and lawyer experience. Some lawyers offer fixed-fee packages for common tasks like drafting terms or privacy policies, while litigation and regulatory proceedings are typically billed by the hour or on a retainer. Before hiring, ask about experience in e-commerce and GDPR matters, typical fees, billing arrangements, local court experience, and client references.

Additional Resources

Useful bodies and organizations you may need when dealing with e-commerce and internet law in Moschato:

- Hellenic Data Protection Authority - the national supervisory authority for data protection and GDPR enforcement.

- Hellenic Police - Cyber Crime Unit - investigates online fraud, hacking and serious cyber incidents.

- Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE - handles VAT and tax matters including e-invoicing and OSS questions.

- EETT - Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission - regulator for electronic communications and certain online services.

- Consumer Ombudsman - handles consumer complaints and mediates disputes between consumers and businesses.

- Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation and National Copyright organisations - for trademarks, patents and copyright matters.

- General Commercial Registry - G.E.MI. - for company registration and commercial records.

- Piraeus Bar Association - for locating local lawyers with experience in e-commerce and internet law.

- Municipality of Moschato-Tavros - for local permits, business signage rules and municipal administrative matters affecting local operations.

- EU Online Dispute Resolution resources and guidance from EU bodies - for cross-border consumer dispute pathways and ADR information.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance for an e-commerce or internet matter in Moschato, follow these steps to get started:

- Gather key documents: business registration, website terms, privacy policy and cookie records, vendor and payment agreements, recent customer complaints and any correspondence with authorities.

- Identify the specific issue: compliance audit, contract drafting, dispute resolution, regulatory response, data breach or litigation. Clear goals help a lawyer scope the work and estimate costs.

- Search for a lawyer with relevant experience: look for expertise in e-commerce, GDPR and consumer law, and local experience with Piraeus courts and Greek regulators. Contact the Piraeus Bar Association for referrals if needed.

- Prepare questions for your initial consultation: ask about prior similar work, strategy options, likely timelines, fees and communication preferences. Consider whether you prefer in-person meetings in Moschato or remote work.

- Consider a compliance checklist or audit: a lawyer can run a targeted audit to identify urgent issues and a plan to remediate legal gaps in contracts, privacy compliance, payments and tax matters.

- Keep records and follow up: document legal advice, implement recommended changes, train staff and schedule periodic reviews to stay current with changing rules and enforcement practices.

Getting early legal advice often prevents bigger problems later. If you operate in Moschato or nearby Piraeus and run any online activity, a short consultation with a qualified e-commerce and internet lawyer is a practical first step.