As listed in the first group, activities banned in e-commerce include operating a network for marketing e-commerce services in which each member must make an initial deposit for buying a service and receive a commission, prize or an economic benefit from recruiting a new member; taking advantage of e-commerce for trading in counterfeit goods or goods and services infringing upon intellectual property rights; and trading in goods or providing services in the list of those banned from trading or provision.

The second group includes violations of regulations on information in e-commerce websites such as using false registration information or failing to comply with regulations on forms and modes of posting registration information on e-commerce websites, etc.

The third group consists of violations of regulations on transactions on e-commerce websites, including deceiving customers on these websites and faking information of other traders, organisations and individuals to join e-commerce activities.

The last group covers stealing, using, disclosing, transferring or selling business intelligence on other traders, organisations and individuals and individual consumer information which are provided through e-commerce activities without their consents, unless otherwise provided by law.

The Decree also specifies two forms of operations for e-commerce websites.

An e-commercewebsite for sale is a website set up by traders, organisations and individuals for trade promotion, sale of goods or provision of services directly to their customers.

E-commerce service provision websites are those set up by traders or organisations to create an environment for other traders, organisations and individuals to conduct commercial activities, including e-commerce trading floors, online auction websites, online sales promotion websites and other websites as specified by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

This Decree will take effect on July 1, and replace Decree 57/2006/ND-CP of June 9, 2006. — VNS