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> Uber is currently seeking to convince Europe's top court that it is a digital service, not a transport company, in a case that could determine whether app-bas
by taxicabjesus 10y ago
> Uber is currently seeking to convince Europe's top court that it is a digital service, not a transport company, in a case that could determine whether app-based startups should be exempt from strict laws meant for regular companies.
Uber found a way to abide by New York State's existing regulations for a special license for drivers and commercial insurance. Everywhere else it plays make-believe - 'we're just a technology company' - for as long as it can.
The end-game in Europe is probably that Uber Technology will abandon its ambitions to be a not-a-taxi company, and provide its app to local transportation companies who are already regulatory-compliant.
The taxi company that I used to drive for was large enough to build its own modern [1] app-based dispatching system. So they don't need uber's technology anymore.
[1] http://www.taxiwars.org/electronic-taxi-dispatch-v1.0/ http://www.taxiwars.org/electronic-taxi-dispatch-v1.0/
- Bartweiss 10y ago> The taxi company that I used to drive for was large enough to build its own modern [1] app-based dispatching system. If nothing else, I appreciate that Uber is pushing taxi companies to develop on-demand hailing apps. I've started seeing local companies advertise them specifically in response to Uber's success.
- DasIch 10y agoThe end-game you propose has a problem in that they're already companies in that space. It might still make sense for Uber to enter that space, they have the brand recognition others lack. I don't really see how this will generate enough growth and profit to make their investors happy though.