Forum Loci Solutionis for Software Contracts : a Technology Neutral Application of Article 7 (1) of the Brussels Ibis Regulation in Light of the Digitalization of Goods and Services

Abstract: This thesis aims to analyze whether the alternative EU forum loci solutionis of Article 7 (1) of the Brussel Ibis Regulation is applicable to Software Contracts. This is done by analyzing and accounting for the structure, purpose and problems of the application of BIbis Article 7 (1) to Software Contracts, by using a fictive case to highlight the particular problems regarding these types of contracts. Since two types of contracts are specifically stated in Article 7 (1) (b): sale of goods and provision of services, the thesis finds that Software Contracts may be characterized as either of these with the autonomous criteria established by CJEU case-law, or as another type of contract under Article 7 (1) (a). In the second step of localization in the method established by CJEU case-law, the four identified places of performance for Software Contracts are: (i) the place of the upload; (ii) the place of the download; (iii) the place to which the service provider has a special connection; and (iv) the place to which the buyer has a special connection. By approaching this issue de lege ferenda, a technology neutral method is first proposed for resolving the issue of characterization. This technology neutral method is further proposed for the following localization issue of identifying the place of performance for Software Contracts under the forum loci solutionis provision in BIbis Article 7 (1), where the place of performance for Software Contracts characterized as sale of goods is the place of download. Respectively, the place of performance for Software Contracts for provision of services under BIbis Article 7 (1) (b) is the domicile of the service provider.