An Italian court has ordered Uber to shut down its UberPop service which uses non-professional drivers in their own cars, within two weeks. The company may appeal, but even if it does, the service will be shut down until (and unless) it wins the appeal.
The court ruled that the service was unfair competition for professional drivers, who must pay fees, carry insurance and be licensed. The ruling doesn’t affect Uber’s other service, Uber Black, which used professional drivers and licensed vehicles.
UberPop has already been banned in Spain and the Netherlands, and is appealing bans in France and Germany. In each country, it has been the subject of widespread protests by traditional cabbies.
Photo: protest in Portland against Uber (Wikimedia / Aaron Penecki)
