Uber complaint may prompt Europe to challenge French taxi law - CNET

The European Commission is reportedly readying itself to challenge French taxi laws following a complaint from ride-hailing service Uber.

A formal notice is set to be issued by the Commission, which will point out that the national law in France breaches a European Union treaty, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing "two people familiar with the matter."

The law in question means that chauffeured cars have to retu to a base in between customers and bans the use of geolocation software for finding cars or customers. Known as the Thevenoud law, the legislation was introduced in October 2014 and outlaws many of the technologies Uber relies upon.

Uber is arguing that the law favors traditional taxis over its own service and that France should have informed the Commission about its introduction. France will either have to come to an agreement with Europe or the Commission could refer the case to the European Court of Justice, the highest court in the EU.

Neither the European Commission nor Uber immediately responded to a request for comment.

The service continues to expand around the world, announcing on Tuesday that it will launch in Cardiff, Wales. In Australia, Sydney Airport also said it will soon start allowing Uber pickups.