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Jun.-Prof. Dr. Frank Rosenkranz

Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Juristic Department

Frank Rosenkranz

The legal treatment of contracts for “free” digital content or digital services

Internet-based digital services are often provided to users without any consideration in the form of money. Nevertheless, the question arises as to whether users do not pay with other objects of value. First of all, personal data and/or consent to the processing of these data can be considered. It also seems possible to see a consideration in the fact that the user endures advertising by the provider of the service. The classification as a binding and remunerated contract would have implications for a number of consequential legal issues and is therefore at the centre of current legal disputes. The aim of the project is to prepare a study on the legal classification of the different digital business models.

Research focus

  • Contract law of digitalisation
  • Consumer protection law
  • Legal methodology
  • Copyright law

Curriculum Vitae

  • Currently junior professor for civil law in the digital age and managing director of the Institute for Intellectual Property, Data Protection and Information Technology at the Ruhr University Bochum
  • 2011, 2016: Research stays at Harvard Law School (2011) and Kyoto University (2016)
  • 2014: Doctorate at the Ruhr University Bochum
  • Law studies at the European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder)

Lectures and publications

  • Rosenkranz, F. (2021). Legal Issues in Linking Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. In: Ebers/Steinrötter (eds.), Künstliche Intelligenz und smarte Robotik im IT-Sicherheitsrecht, Baden-Baden (Nomos).
  • Rosenkranz, F. (2021). Specific Regulations on Contracts for the Provision of Digital Products in the German Civil Code – Commentary on the Government Draft of the BMJV on a Law Implementing the Directive on Certain Aspects of Contract Law for the Provision of Digital Content and Digital Services, ZUM 2021, Heft 2, 195-210.
  • Rosenkranz, F. (2020). Contract law basics. In: Linardatos (ed.), Legal Handbook Robo Advice – Automated Financial and Insurance Services, 29-57. Munich (C.H. Beck)
  • Rosenkranz, F. (2018). Personal responsibility and consumer protection in digital content contracts, GPR 2018, Issue 1, 28-37
  • Rosenkranz, F. (2017). Specific rules of digital content provision in European law? – A contribution to European contract type doctrine. In: Behme et al. (eds.), Perspectives on European Private Law Scholarship, Jahrbuch Junger Zivilrechtswissenschaftler 2016, 235-271. Baden-Baden (Nomos).

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Frank Rosenkranz

Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Juristic Department

Fellow at CAIS from March until August 2021