EU enlists Rolling Stone to help with internet shopping

Posted on 19 Sep 2008 at 13:44

Sir Mick Jagger has been called upon by the European Commission to be part of a new group aimed at addressing the obstacles that plague online retail sales in the EU.

The rock star will join a group of consumer and industry figures, including Apple's Steve Jobs, to address proposals to make online commerce easier for consumers.

The Commission is concerned that shoppers are facing cross-border frustrations when buying online, from sales small print and guarantee snags to after-sales service difficulties with goods bought over the internet.

Jagger's involvement was announced after he attended an "Online Commerce Roundtable" in Brussels, to which he was invited by the EU's Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes; an old friend of the Rolling Stone.

Sir Mick's expertise will be used in resolving problems involving downloads and music copyright.

At the roundtable, Jagger spoke about the online retailing trade, focusing on online sales of CDs and music downloads. He will be involved with the other members in preparing a short report later this year, according to the Commission.

The EU Commission will then invite "interested parties" to submit their responses by mid-October next year. Commission proposals to improve online retailing will then follow.

Industry sources reckon the rock star's involvement is more than a publicity stunt for the Commission, given the way he was ushered in and out of roundtable without fanfare.

Author: Dawinderpal Sahota

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