You are correct. Usually what I find is that the American companies/people usually try to follow the "bare" letter of the law, where Europeans need to follow t

You are correct. Usually what I find is that the American companies/people usually try to follow the "bare" letter of the law, where Europeans need to follow the spirit, as this is how it is "usually" enforced. And while the former might let you get away with "one weird trick" the latter usually leaves more margin to interpretation which can be both a blessing and a curse.