Apple UK, Amazon, all exempt from UK law?

mrochester

A friend has been saying that Apple UK, and Amazon, amongst other online shops, are all exempt from UK consumer law because they are based in different countries (Apple in Ireland and Amazon in Luxembourge). This sounds like a crock of crap to me as if they are operating a UK store, selling in UK £s to UK consumers, they must abide by the laws of the UK. However, said friend seems to think they only have to abide by the laws of the country in which they are based.

Which is right?

Thanks!

Michael.

neilmcl

Your friend is wrong.

Nilrem

IIRC it depends where the main offices/facilities are located.

I think Amazon UK are based in the UK and operate under UK law*, Play are based in the Channel Isles (offices and warehouses/shipping facilities etc) so are governed by the laws there, Apple if they are based in Ireland will most likely be under Irish law.

The fact a company charges in "X currency" or using a website with "y domain" doesn't really mean much, it's all about where their offices are registered.

For example Amazon.com will let me order stuff from the UK, and I think will even offer to let me pay in UKP (saves the uncertainty of what the exchange rate my bank will use if I pay in USD), but they are based in America operating under American laws, whilst Amazon UK is UK based, amazon.fr are based in France etc (each one taking advantage of the local laws).

*Although they do have a subsidiary based in the channel isles to take advantage of not having to pay VAT on items under £18 IIRC.

neilmcl

Actually, Play do have offices in the UK, they have their UK marketing and IT arm based out of sites in Bristol and Cambridge. I think the only difference is they don't physically operate within the UK whereas Amazon.co.uk do.

Antispam

Play have warehouses in MK I believe. Amazon are in UK

epm-84

Amazon are indeed registered as a UK company so have to act within UK law

AMAZON.CO.UK LTD.

Sectors

SIC code: 5247
Description: Retail sale of books, newspapers and stationery
SIC code: 7487
Description: Other business activities not elsewhere classified

Company details

Company number: 03223028
Type of company: Private Limited Company
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Incorporation date: 10/07/1996
Status: Active
Previous names:

• BOOKPAGES LIMITED/AMAZON.CO.UK LTD.

Contact

Registered office address:
PATRIOT COURT
1-9 THE GROVE
SLOUGH
BERKSHIRE
SL1 1QP
[show map]

Accounts

Accounts reference date: 31/12
Last registered accounts: 31/12/2009*
Accounts next due: 30/09/2011
Accounts overdue: NO
Accounts category: FULL
Accounts document available: yes
Annual turnover: £94,315,000.00
Annual profit: £-786,000.00
Turnover per employee: £56,782.06
Profit per employee: £-473.21

If a company is not registered in the UK (including the channel islands and Isle of Man) then it doesn't have to comply with all UK laws. I've got a letter from the ASA stating this relating to Foxy Bingo who are registered in the Channel Islands.

drsquirrel

You will find most of these are registered as a Limited company as pointed out above.

BUT - companies like this will setup base for their "European" HQ in the place that suits them best, Luxembourg being one - Paypal moved there some time ago to get away from certain UK legislation.

Though saying this - just because they have an address doesn't mean anyone is actually there.