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Digital content meaning

What does Digital content mean?
In legal practice, “digital content” describes data supplied in digital form—such as software, apps, games, music, video, e‑books and similar files—whether obtained by download, streaming or cloud access. In England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 defines digital content as data produced and supplied in digital form, and sets consumer standards (satisfactory quality, fitness for purpose, as described) and remedies, plus liability where faulty digital content damages a device or other content. In Ireland and EU law, the term is defined in the Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU) and further developed by the Digital Content and Digital Services Directive (EU) 2019/770, implemented in Ireland by the Consumer Rights Act 2022. Under that regime, digital content covers items supplied for a price or in exchange for personal data (other than data strictly necessary to supply it), and is distinguished from “digital services” (e.g. cloud storage, social media), though both are regulated. The expression is also used across e‑commerce, licensing and intellectual property contracts, including end‑user licences and platform terms. Usage is consistent across the UK and Ireland; key differences concern the statutory remedies and whether supplies provided in return for personal data are treated as consumer contracts.
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View the related Checklists about Digital content

CHECKLISTS
Transparency Notice Content Checklist for Direct Award Process C (Existing Provider) under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023

Information to be included This checklist explains the details that must be set out in a notice submitted to the UK central digital platform to satisfy the transparency obligations in the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR Regs 2023), SI 2023/1348, reg 9(11)(a), following a direct award of a health care contract using Direct Award Process C. A clear statement that the award was made using Direct Award Process C Contract title and reference The provider’s name and the address of its registered office or principal place of business A description of the relevant health care services, including the most appropriate CPV code The lifetime contract value or, if not yet known, the sums payable to the provider under the contract The dates during which the services will be delivered Details of the award decision-makers Any declared or potential conflicts of interest and how these were managed Further reading Practice...

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CHECKLISTS
Provider Selection Regime 2023: Mandatory Content Checklist for Notices of Contract/Framework Modifications to the UK Central Digital Platform

Checklist This Checklist outlines the details that must appear in a notice concerning a contract or framework agreement change, which must be submitted to the UK central digital platform to meet the transparency obligations imposed under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR Regs 2023), SI 2023/1348, reg 13(b), Sch 12...

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CHECKLISTS
Transparency notice content checklist after award under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 Most Suitable Provider Process

This Checklist This Checklist describes the information that must be included in a notice to be sent to the UK central digital platform, to ensure compliance with transparency requirements mandated by the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, SI 2023/1348, reg 10(15)(a), Sch 7, following an award under the Most Suitable Provider Process...

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View the related Flowcharts about Digital content

FLOWCHARTS
Digital content: consumer cancellation rights, exclusions and information requirements under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013—distance, off-premises and on-premises sales (Flowchart)

ARCHIVED: 11 pm (GMT) on 31 December 2020 signalled the conclusion of the Brexit transition/implementation phase that followed the UK’s exit from the EU. At that moment in time (known in UK legislation as ‘IP completion day’), the principal transitional provisions finally ceased. From IP completion day, the UK is unable to take an active role in the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), as EAWs apply solely to Member States...

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FLOWCHARTS
EU Merger Regulation: Joint Venture Formation—Jurisdictional Assessment Flowchart (Decision Tree)

Flowchart This Flowchart explains the cancellation rights that must be offered to consumers who enter into on‑premises, off‑premises or distance contracts for the sale of digital content. It is intended for use when a practitioner needs to confirm the cancellation rights available to consumers purchasing digital content in line with the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, SI 2013/3134 (CCR 2013). Note 1 — a consumer is an individual acting wholly or mainly for purposes outside their trade, business, craft or profession. Note 2 — certain sector contracts are governed by their own rules, including financial services contracts, rental contracts and package travel contracts, and are completely excluded from the CCR 2013. For more information, see Practice Note: Distance, doorstep and on‑premises sales — Excluded contracts...

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View the related News about Digital content

NEWS
UK Dispute Resolution Weekly: conspiracy, fraud and PII rulings; ADR and mediation timing; PACCAR reversal plans; HMCTS/CaTH updates; Scottish developments; privilege and AI; 2026 consultations and procedural changes

In this issue: Key DR developments Claims and remedies Costs and funding Litigation Case management Evidence and disclosure ADR Scottish Dispute Resolution New content Dates for your diary Useful information Daily and weekly news alerts Dispute Resolution Highlights 2025/2026 Key DR developments Alternative dispute resolution European Parliament adopts new rules to modernise out-of-court dispute resolution for consumers The European Parliament has approved refreshed measures to enhance consumer out-of-court complaint handling, updating the EU’s ADR framework for the digital landscape and cross-border disputes. The reforms delineate ADR’s reach to cover matters arising both before and after contractual agreements, and in specified circumstances enable involvement by traders from third countries. The directive will come into force 20 days following publication and will begin to apply 32 months thereafter. For more, see: Parliament adopts new rules to modernise out-of-court dispute resolution for consumers—LNB News 16/12/2025 Court information HMCTS update hearing...

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NEWS
Dispute Resolution Weekly: CPRC reforms, junior advocacy guidance, cryptoasset injunctions, solicitor-client costs/CFA rulings, disclosure and appeals updates, consultations and key dates (England and Wales), 17 July 2025

In this issue Key DR developments Claims and remedies Costs and funding Litigation Applications—general Evidence and disclosure Appeals New content Dates for your diary Useful information Daily and weekly news alerts Key DR developments CPR Committee minutes Minutes of the CPR Committee meeting—6 June 2025: The Civil Procedure Rule Committee met on 6 June 2025 in a hybrid session at The Rolls Building (Royal Courts of Justice) and via video conference. The minutes confirm a forthcoming CPR 51 pilot enabling non-parties to obtain court documents, arising from the Supreme Court ruling in Cape Intermediate Holdings Ltd v Dring [2019] UKSC 38. They also record approved amendments to the e‑working pilot, progressing towards a permanent electronic filing system as part of ongoing court modernisation. Further topics included summary assessment of costs, arbitration updates, disclosure, civil restraint orders, closed material procedures, judicial review reforms for infrastructure projects, whiplash reforms, digital services and other procedural...

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NEWS
UK corporate law and governance highlights—6 Nov 2025: Companies House fees, FRC guidance, FCA Primary Market corrections, ECCTA/ROE updates, supplier payment reporting

In this issue: Companies House Corporate governance Equity capital markets Accounts and reports Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information Companies House Companies House announces fee changes from February 2026 Companies House has confirmed a revised fees schedule from 1 February 2026, following its annual assessment to align charges with the cost of providing services. Notably, the digital incorporation filing fee will rise to £100, and the digital confirmation statement fee will increase to £50. These adjustments are set out in the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1137), which were laid before Parliament on 30 October 2025 and take effect on 1 February 2026. The accompanying explanatory memorandum states that the updated fees are intended to recover increased costs linked to implementing the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023) and the Economic...

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View the related Practice Notes about Digital content

PRACTICE NOTES
UK book and journal publishing law: practical guide to IP, contracts, data protection, competition, moral rights, collecting societies, AI, distribution, open access, orphan works and secondary markets

The publishing industry This Practice Note outlines the legal and contractual landscape governing the publishing sector, while introducing key commercial and technological considerations. Publishers deliver content in multiple formats and for differing aims and readerships. Traditionally, the field splits between: trade publishers serving a general or consumer market; and other publishers concentrating on educational, academic, professional or scientific, technical, and medical audiences. In reality, these categories can overlap and intersect with adjacent industries, a trend accelerated by the evolution of digital media—for instance, convergence between newspaper and magazine publishing and the broadcasting and audiovisual arenas. There has also been discussion about whether social media and other online platforms ought, as a legal matter, to be regarded as ‘publishers’. Nevertheless, this Practice Note concentrates on conventional book and journal publishing, in both print and digital forms, encompassing e-books, websites, apps, databases and other online offerings (collectively described here, for simplicity, as ‘products’ unless stated otherwise). The publishing industry is an important contributor to the UK economy. According to the Publishers...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Digital rights management in the UK: CDPA 1988 anti-circumvention, technological measures, permitted acts and enforcement

This Practice Note outlines the legal and practical considerations relevant to digital rights management (DRM), and examines how far technical tools and other safeguards can be deployed by rights holders to protect and administer their digital works lawfully and effectively in practice. It also sets out the categories of offences that may arise where technological protection measures are bypassed or where rights management information is abused in any context. What is digital rights management? DRM describes the technical mechanisms used by copyright owners of digital material to label, monitor and secure their assets. These controls are applied to block unauthorised copying, for instance by using encryption, ensuring that only approved software and permitted users can open a given digital file where appropriate. DRM also serves to identify content and to manage its distribution to consumers, eg by tracking how often a work is accessed for the purpose of calculating the royalties payable lawfully, or to support business models such as online music subscription services. For example, the video...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Lawyers’ Guide to Consumer Complaint Handling under UK Law: Policies, ADR, Remedies (CRA 2015, CCR 2013, DMCCA 2024), Enforcement, Product Liability, Insurance and PR

This Practice Note is a practical ‘how to’ guide on managing consumer complaints. It is a clear and commercially focused document that sets out the processes, systems, policies and procedures organisations should have in place, from first contact with a consumer, right through escalation, to the subsequent PR handling and management of adverse publicity. Consumers are a sub-set of all customers. This Practice Note concentrates on specific individuals acting for purposes that are wholly or mainly outside their trade, business, craft or profession. Where this note expressly refers to customers, it means customers in their consumer capacity. Where appropriate, this Practice Note signposts readers to additional detailed content on relevant consumer law and related practice, where necessary. Why is good customer service necessary? It is vital that customers have a positive experience with the trader so they return again and again. Customer service processes and procedures must be capable of looking after customers, whatever the issue, and complaints must be dealt with promptly when they arise, both from...

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View the related Precedents about Digital content

PRECEDENTS
B2C cancellation clauses and forms: UK precedents for distance/off‑premises goods, services and digital content under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013

Cancellation clauses—doorstep or distance sales contracts 1 Right to cancel 1.1 You are entitled to cancel this contract within 14 days without stating any reason. [ However, for certain goods you do not have the right to cancel, or you may lose that right in specific circumstances. This is explained further in clause 1.6 below. ] 1.2 [ The cancellation period will end 14 days after the day on which you receive, or a person you nominate receives, [ the goods OR the last good OR the last lot or piece OR the first good ] . OR 1.3 The cancellation period will end 14 days after the day on which you receive, or a person you nominate receives: 1.3.1 the goods (unless one of the options below applies to your order); or 1.3.2 the last good (if you ordered multiple goods in a single order and they are delivered separately); or 1.3.3 the last lot...

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PRECEDENTS
Client request to begin digital content supply during 14-day cooling-off period, acknowledging loss of cancellation rights and full payment once supply commences

Request to start work during cancellation period To: [ insert your name, geographical address, telephone number, fax number and email address ] I/we [] authorise [ insert firm’s name ] to begin work on [ describe digital content to be supplied ] within the 14–day cancellation period. I/we [] acknowledge and accept that, once you start to supply [ describe digital content ], I/we [] will forfeit the right to cancel and will be required to pay in full. Name of client(s): Address of client(s): [ Signature of client(s): ] Date: [] Delete as appropriate...

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PRECEDENTS
Client instruction to commence work during statutory 14-day cancellation period (non-digital content): acknowledgement of pro-rata fees on cancellation and loss of right to cancel on full performance

Request to start work during cancellation period To: [ insert your name, geographical address, telephone number, fax number and email address ]: I/we [] authorise [ insert firm’s name ] to begin work on: [ describe service ] within the 14–day cancellation period. I/we [] acknowledge and agree that, should I/we [] cancel within this 14–day period, I am/we are [] obliged to pay for the work completed on a pro‑rata basis. The charge will reflect the proportion of services actually delivered up to the point I/we [] notified you of the decision to cancel, relative to the overall scope of the contract. I/we [] also understand and accept that the right to cancel will be lost, and full payment will be due, once the contract has been fully performed (i.e. you finish the work), even if completion occurs during the cancellation period. Name of client(s): Address of client(s): [ Signature of client(s): ] Date: [] Delete...

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View the related Q&As about Digital content

Q&As
CRA 2015 protection for guarantors of assured shorthold tenancies

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015) The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015) revised and brought together consumer protection laws with effect from 1 October 2015. Primarily, it applies to consumer agreements for providing goods, services and digital content, and overhauls the rules on unfair terms in consumer contracts. It is generally considered that a guarantor of an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) is unlikely to qualify as a consumer of goods, services or digital content. Accordingly, any safeguard available under CRA 2015 would arise only through the unfair terms provisions in such circumstances, if applicable...

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Q&As
Contracting out of or waiving CCR 2013 cooling-off period

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, SI 2013/3134 (CCR 2013) apply to agreements between a trader and a consumer made on or after 13 June 2014. Under CCR 2013, SI 2013/3134, reg 5, three forms of contract are identified: off-premises contracts — regulation 5 sets out four types of off-premises contract distance contracts on-premises contracts — defined as neither off-premises nor distance, meaning a contract concluded at business premises Contracts are further classified, in reg 5, as: sales contracts service contracts digital content contracts CCR 2013 requires the trader to provide the consumer with specified information and, in certain situations, grants a right to cancel. Where a cancellation right exists, the information supplied must include a cancellation notice in the model form, or details of how the consumer can access that form...

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