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Article snippet: Uber lost a major legal battle on Wednesday, when the European Union’s highest court declared that the ride hailing app must comply with tough rules governing traditional taxi associations, a significant setback for a company already grappling with a string of scandals. The decision by the European Court of Justice, that Uber is a transportation company rather than an online platform that simply matches passengers with drivers, could thwart Uber’s expansion plans in the region, by making it pay costly licensing fees and employee benefits. Uber will have to start treating drivers more like taxi chauffeurs, rather than independent workers with no link to the company aside from a smartphone app. The ruling is a landmark in the hazily regulated world of the gig economy, a growing part of the work force in which people work as freelancers or on short-term contracts as opposed to holding permanent jobs. Policymakers around the globe have been struggling with how to frame labor rules for a new style of employment, as rapidly shifting business models outpace regulations that for decades were formulated around traditional 9-to-5 jobs. Legislation in many countries has lagged rising trends toward atypical work arrangements that companies use to cut costs. The uncertainty has fueled a wave of litigation, leaving the courts to create a patchwork of regulations. “It’s normal that authorities don’t know what to do — they can’t just issue regulations any time somebody claims to... Link to the full article to read more