The European Commission has unveiled details of its plans to create a Digital Single Market, which aims to take the digital revolution by breaking down regulatory barriers and turning the 28 countries into a single market, which could mean the Community economy EUR 415 billion per year and create 3.8 million jobs.

The strategy includes a set of 16 actions to be achieved by the end of 2016. It is based on three pillars: better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services throughout Europe; The creation of appropriate conditions and a level playing field for digital networks and innovative services to flourish; And maximize the growth potential of the digital economy.

The Commission wants to harmonize the contracting rules between online businesses and consumers. These are both physical and consumer goods: an e-book, for example, or application. With this measure, Brussels aims to increase consumer confidence, as only 38% of Europeans dare to buy online in another country.

62% of European companies say that there are too many barriers to distribution in other EU countries. The Commission wants to remove obstacles and reduce the price of distribution because it believes that this will also reduce the final price of the product to the consumer.

The Community Executive wants to eliminate the unjustified digital borders when consuming content from one country to another. For example, so that European citizens do not have restricted access to virtual stores in any Member State.

The roadmap also includes creating a European-wide copyright by the end of 2015 and for this will facilitate the issuance of rights licenses. The aim is for consumers to have more and better access to all content generated in the EU and to combat piracy.

Brussels considers that the Old Continent has lost ground in the technological race as a result of the fragmentation and diversity of its national legislations. And it seeks to overcome these barriers not only to regain ground in markets such as telecommunications, social networks or collaborative economy but also to avoid losing it in sectors and industries that are now European.

The Digital Single Market has a disadvantage: time. Before these proposals become facts, they will have to pass the filter of the rest of institutions. One of the first key dates will be the European Council in June. If there is consensus, these projects will be moved to Parliament and then have to be ratified by the Council again. Also, Member States will have to regulate these measures favoring market potential.