Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Sliven

About E-commerce & Internet Law Law in Sliven, Bulgaria

E-commerce and internet law in Sliven, Bulgaria covers the legal rules that apply to online business activities, websites, mobile apps, online marketplaces and digital services offered to consumers and businesses. The legal framework combines Bulgarian national law, European Union rules and established case law. Key themes include consumer protection for distance sales, electronic contracts and signatures, data protection and privacy, intellectual property and copyright, liability for online content, payment and VAT rules for cross-border sales, and regulatory obligations for online service providers.

Although national laws apply uniformly across Bulgaria, businesses and individuals in Sliven should be aware of local practical matters - for example where to file a claim, which local administrative bodies to contact, and how to find a local lawyer familiar with the Sliven court system and business environment.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer when you encounter legal issues that require specialist knowledge or defensive action, or when you want to prevent problems by setting up correct legal documents. Common situations include:

- Drafting or reviewing terms and conditions, privacy policies and cookie policies for your online store or app.

- Handling consumer complaints or disputes about delivery, refunds, faulty goods, or the right of withdrawal under consumer protection rules.

- Responding to claims of copyright, trademark or other intellectual property infringement related to content, product images or domain names.

- Advising on GDPR compliance, preparing data processing agreements, responding to data subject access requests, or dealing with a data breach notification to the Commission for Personal Data Protection.

- Structuring cross-border sales, VAT registration and compliance for EU rules such as the one-stop-shop - OSS - or Import One-Stop Shop - IOSS.

- Negotiating or drafting contracts with marketplaces, payment service providers or cloud hosting companies.

- Defending claims arising from user-generated content, publication of reviews or defamatory material online, and taking takedown actions.

- Representing you in court, administrative proceedings or alternative dispute resolution processes when online commerce disputes escalate.

Local Laws Overview

The legal framework that is most relevant to e-commerce and internet law in Sliven includes Bulgarian statutes and directly applicable EU law. Key elements to know:

- Consumer protection and distance sales - Distance selling rules protect consumers for purchases made online. Traders must provide clear pre-contractual information, confirm the contract electronically, and grant a statutory withdrawal right for most consumer distance contracts, usually 14 calendar days.

- Electronic Commerce rules - Bulgarian law implements EU rules on information society services and intermediary liability. Hosting and intermediary providers generally benefit from limited liability if they do not have actual knowledge of illegal content and they act quickly to remove or disable access once they become aware.

- Electronic signatures and electronic documents - EU rules including eIDAS provide legal recognition for qualified electronic signatures. National rules support use of electronic documents and signatures in commercial operations.

- Data protection and privacy - The EU General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR - and national implementing rules govern personal data processing. Organisations must have lawful bases for processing, provide privacy notices, implement security measures, and follow rules for international transfers where relevant. The national supervisory authority enforces compliance and issues guidance.

- Intellectual property - Copyright and trademark laws protect original works, brand names and domain names. Online use of protected materials may require licences or permission. Bulgaria enforces IP rights and provides civil remedies.

- Payments and financial regulation - Payment services are regulated under PSD2 and related national rules. Payment service providers and merchants must follow anti-money-laundering obligations, strong customer authentication and security requirements for online payments.

- Tax and VAT - E-commerce sellers must follow VAT rules for domestic and cross-border sales. EU changes have simplified some obligations using the OSS and IOSS schemes, but sellers must register and report correctly to avoid penalties.

- Advertising and marketing rules - Online marketing must comply with consumer protection, unfair commercial practice rules and sector-specific rules for promotions, email marketing and electronic communications including cookie and tracking consent rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information must I show on my e-commerce website to comply with Bulgarian law?

You must provide clear information about the trader identity and contact details, the main characteristics of goods or services, prices inclusive of taxes and fees, delivery costs and delivery timelines, complaint and guarantee procedures, and terms for contract formation and withdrawal. This pre-contractual information must be easily accessible before the consumer makes an order.

How long can a consumer cancel an online purchase and what are the seller obligations?

Consumers typically have a 14-calendar-day right of withdrawal for distance contracts, starting from receipt of the goods or from conclusion of the contract for services. Sellers must inform consumers of the right, provide withdrawal forms, refund payments within statutory deadlines and may recover only necessary return shipping costs where applicable. Certain exceptions apply, for example for custom-made goods, sealed hygiene items and digital content delivered with consent.

What steps should I take if my website suffers a data breach involving personal data?

First, contain and secure systems to stop the breach. Assess the scope and likely impact on data subjects. If the breach is likely to result in a risk to individuals rights and freedoms, notify the national data protection authority without undue delay and, where required, notify affected individuals. Document the breach, your assessment and remedial measures. Seek legal and technical advice to ensure compliance and to prepare any required notifications.

Am I liable for user-generated content posted on my platform?

Under intermediary liability rules, hosting providers and platforms can benefit from limited liability if they do not have actual knowledge of illegal content and they act expeditiously to remove or disable access when they become aware. However, liability can arise if the platform exercises editorial control or fails to act on known illegal content. You should implement clear notice-and-takedown procedures and maintain records of actions taken.

Do I need a privacy policy and how detailed should it be?

Yes. Under GDPR you must provide a clear and comprehensive privacy notice explaining what personal data you collect, purposes and legal bases for processing, retention periods, recipients, data subject rights, and contact details for the data controller and - where applicable - data protection officer. The policy should be readable and accessible at the point where data is collected and on your website.

What legal protections exist for my brand, logo or product images used online?

Trademarks protect brand names and logos; copyright protects original images, product photos and creative content. You can register trademarks nationally to strengthen protection and enforce rights. For copyrighted content uploaded by others, you can use takedown notices or pursue civil enforcement. Legal advice is useful to plan an IP protection strategy and to draft licence agreements.

How should I handle cross-border sales within the EU from Sliven?

Cross-border sales require attention to VAT rules, consumer law, shipping terms and returns, and language requirements for contracts and notices. The EU one-stop-shop - OSS - simplifies VAT filings for distance sales of goods within the EU, but you need to register and comply with VAT thresholds and reporting. Consider whether delivery terms are DDP or DAP and provide clear information for customs and duties if shipping outside the EU.

What should I include in terms and conditions for an online store to reduce disputes?

Include clear rules on order acceptance, pricing and taxes, delivery and shipping timelines, returns and refund procedures, warranty and liability limitations consistent with mandatory consumer rights, dispute resolution procedures, governing law and jurisdiction and intellectual property terms. Terms should not attempt to override mandatory consumer protection provisions. Have a lawyer review the terms to ensure enforceability.

Can I use electronic signatures for contracts and are they valid in Bulgaria?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognised, with a distinction between simple electronic signatures and qualified electronic signatures. Qualified electronic signatures provide the highest evidentiary weight and are equivalent to handwritten signatures for many legal acts under EU eIDAS rules. The suitability of the signature type depends on the contract and risk level.

How do I find and choose the right lawyer in Sliven for e-commerce and internet law matters?

Look for lawyers who specialise in IT, internet law, data protection and consumer law. Check their experience with online businesses, references, language skills and fees. Ask about practical experience with Sliven courts and local administrative bodies. Request a clear engagement letter that explains scope, fees and timelines. Consider an initial consultation to assess fit and to prioritise immediate legal steps.

Additional Resources

When seeking further information or official guidance, consider these types of resources and bodies:

- National data protection authority - for GDPR guidance and notifications.

- Consumer protection authority - for rules on distance selling, unfair commercial practices and complaint handling.

- Registry and company registration authority - for business registration and public company records.

- Ministry or agency responsible for electronic communications and information technology - for sector-specific rules and licensing matters.

- National bar association and regional lawyer directories - to find qualified local lawyers with e-commerce or IT law expertise.

- Courts and alternative dispute resolution bodies - for information on filing procedures, small claims and mediation services relevant to online disputes.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance in Sliven for e-commerce or internet law matters, follow these practical steps:

- Gather key documents - order records, terms and conditions, privacy policy, contracts with platforms or suppliers, screenshots, emails and logs that explain the issue.

- Identify the most urgent legal risk - data breach, consumer claim, IP takedown, regulatory notice or pending litigation - so the lawyer can prioritise immediate actions.

- Search for a lawyer with relevant expertise in e-commerce, data protection and online disputes. Ask about experience, fees and whether they can act locally in Sliven or remotely.

- Arrange an initial consultation. Prepare a concise summary of facts and a list of questions so you get focused, practical advice during the meeting.

- Follow the lawyer recommendations for interim measures - for example temporary takedown, notification to authorities, freezing of disputed funds or amendment of website terms - then discuss long-term compliance steps.

- Keep records of legal advice and actions taken. If litigation is likely, obtain a written plan and expected timeline for proceeding in court or through alternative dispute resolution.

Taking prompt, informed action helps protect your business reputation, limit legal risk and ensure compliance with Bulgarian and EU rules when you operate online from Sliven.