Uber No Longer Banned in Germany

Well, in Germany the only thing you need a taxi medallion for is waiting at taxi stands and being hailed off the street. Everything else can be done as a 'rental car with driver' (i.e. livery), which is allow to receive driving assignments via radio (which I am sure also covers an app). There is no quota/medallion system for livery cars, nor any fare regulations, nor a requirement to act as a common carrier. However, the drivers are required to have a commercial driving license and special health/vision and defensive driving tests, which I think is what Uber is trying to avoid.

Actually, they where never banned as such and this decision is not a decision in the case, but for formal reasons.<p>The original decision was an immediate decision based on the idea an immediate reaction is required before final judgement takes place. This final judgement has not taken place.<p>The immediate decision was opposed and for formal reasons the judge agreed that immediate action is not required.<p>Final judgement in the case itself will take place some time later this year. The jury has indicated, that in the case itself it may eventually violates the law. But this is only in indication until final judgement takes place.

This actually surprised me considering how they essentially said they would continue to break the law. In my experience, when you start openly defying laws, judges tend to come down pretty hard against you.<p>Hopefully their fines are still enforceable.

One thing that I think people are unaware of with respect to America vs. Europe is the implementation of the precautionary principle[1]. While it is discussed most often in environmental circles (probably one of the key differentiators in international environmental policy&#x2F;law), it really has become a pervasive cultural difference in governing perspectives. While it is not officially ingrained in all aspects of EU law, it is certainly present in quite a few decisions.<p>Personally, I think there needs to be a balance, and you can find examples on both sides of its implementation being heavy-handed (GMOs in Europe), or its absence devastating (some Superfund sites or adverse long-term health impacts in the USA). Of course, I&#x27;m speaking in general terms here, as you can find counterexamples in both cultural spheres, but that general policy distinction does exist.<p>[1] <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precautionary_principle" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Precautionary_principle</a>

Do they still get fined for the time they were operating under the ban? Or does it retroactively invalidate the fines?

So, are they going to comply with the law now, or continue to ignore it?

Awesome, so my city is still the only market they&#x27;ve ever pulled out of. Way to go Vancouver. welp :(

Governments always create borders and politics that slow down the innovation. But we have great entrepreneurs disposed to fight against that.