European Union: Requested Preliminary Ruling in Investigation on Business Registration Requirements for Online Intermediation Services

On 19 October 2022, a request for a preliminary ruling was lodged by the Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale per il Lazio to the European Court of Justice. The case revolves around an Investigation of the Authority for Communications Guarantees (AGCOM) into Airbnb Ireland, Amazon Services Europe, Expedia, Google Ireland and Vacation Rentals Ireland on the alleged failure of fulfilling the requirements for providers of online intermediation services to be entered in a register, which involves the communication of relevant information about their organisation and payment of a financial contribution. Failure to comply with this requirement results in the imposition of penalties. The court is seeking clarification on whether a Member State can impose such obligations on an online service provider operating on its territory but established in another Member State.