Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Law II: Consumer Rights

Law II: Consumer Rights
3
16349
4
First semester
OB
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,

Introduction

This course examines the legal framework governing the relationships between businesses, consumers and users in the fields of communication, advertising, marketing and digital commerce. Students will analyse consumer rights, business obligations and the legal mechanisms designed to protect consumers against unfair commercial practices, unlawful communications and the emerging challenges arising from digital environments.

The course also explores the legal regulation of advertising, personal data protection, electronic commerce and the protection of consumer rights in the context of new forms of commercial communication.

Pre-course requirements

No. 

Objectives

  • To understand the legal framework for the protection of consumers and users.
  • To understand the legal regulation of advertising and commercial practices.
  • To analyse the legislation governing electronic commerce and digital services.
  • To identify consumer rights in both offline and online contractual relationships.
  • To understand the legal mechanisms protecting consumers against unlawful advertising and unfair commercial practices.
  • To understand the legal obligations of businesses regarding commercial communications and personal data protection.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • CN01 - Explain the foundations of classical and contemporary culture in order to interpret current communication trends and phenomena.
  • CN03 - Identify the key stakeholders, departments and professional roles within advertising and public relations agencies, understanding their functions in the design and implementation of communication campaigns.
  • CN04 - Critically analyse political, social and historical events, as well as national and international institutions.
  • CN07 - Identify emerging trends in digital communication, social media and interactive environments for planning advertising and public relations activities in digital and multi-platform contexts.
  • CP03 - Apply ethical and professional standards in advertising and public relations practice, respecting the fundamental right to equality between women and men, promoting human rights, a culture of peace and democratic values, including the use of inclusive, non-discriminatory and stereotype-free language.
  • CP11 - Apply the principal methodologies of scientific research to the field of advertising and public relations.
  • HB01 - Analyse relevant data obtained from multiple sources using a range of research and documentation methods.

Learning outcomes of the subject

Students will be able to:

  1. To develop a comprehensive understanding of contemporary societies, recognising shared cultural expressions in a globalised world, cultural differences and influences between different social groups.

  2. To keep up to date with innovation and new technologies in order to identify trends.

  3. To understand human beings through philosophical thought and the different ways in which people communicate and organise society on the basis of moral principles.

  4. To explore the cognitive and sociological psychological processes that drive human behaviour, applying this knowledge to professional practice in advertising and public relations.

  5. To identify artistic avant-garde movements, the historical evolution of aesthetic judgements and their influence on human communication.

  6. To identify the legal and institutional framework governing their future professional practice, including regulations on intellectual property and consumer rights.

Syllabus

Block 1. Consumers and the Marketplace
  • The consumer as a legal subject.
  • Principles of consumer protection.
  • Consumer rights.
  • Pre-contractual information.
Block 2. Advertising and Consumer Protection
  • General Advertising Act.
  • Unfair Competition Act.
  • Misleading advertising.
  • Comparative advertising.
  • Subliminal advertising.
  • Advertising aimed at children.
Block 3. Electronic Commerce
  • Information Society Services and Electronic Commerce Act (LSSICE).
  • Electronic contracting.
  • Commercial communications.
  • Email marketing.
  • Cookies.
  • Digital platforms.
Block 4. Data Protection
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
  • Personal data protection.
  • Processing of consumer personal data.
  • Commercial databases.
  • Digital rights.
Block 5. Digital Consumer Protection
  • Influencer marketing.
  • Social media.
  • Online marketplaces.
  • Artificial intelligence applied to consumer markets.
  • Dispute resolution and consumer complaint mechanisms.
  • Advertising self-regulation.

Bibliography and resources

Real Decreto Legislativo 1/2007 (Defensa de los Consumidores y Usuarios).
Ley 34/1988 (General de Publicidad).
Ley 3/1991 (Competencia Desleal).
Ley 34/2002 (Servicios de la Sociedad de la Información y de Comercio Electrónico – LSSICE).
Reglamento (UE) 2016/679 (Reglamento General de Protección de Datos – RGPD).
Ley Orgánica 3/2018 (Protección de Datos Personales y garantía de los derechos digitales).
Reglamento (UE) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act – DSA).

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