German court bans Uber’s ridesharing service

BERLIN (AP) — A German court banned Uber from offering its ridesharing service nationwide on Wednesday, adding to the company’s troubles in Europe.

Frankfurt state court spokesman Arne Hasse said the ruling banning the UberPop service from offering rides with drivers who don’t have taxi permits was issued Wednesday. The ruling can be appealed.

The ruling stems from a suit brought against Uber by a German taxi association, which was heard in Frankfurt because it is one of several German cities where Uber launched operations.

The court issued an injunction banning Uber from operating last summer but lifted it a few weeks later, saying that while it considered Uber’s practices illegal an emergency injunction wasn’t justified.

Uber also has hit trouble in the Netherlands, Spain and France, which has effectively banned its service.

Uber said it regrets the Frankfurt court’s ruling, calling it “a defeat for all those who want more choice in their personal mobility.”

It added that it is “working on an alternative ridesharing offer that we are adapting specifically to the formalities in Germany,” but didn’t elaborate.

Taxi associations accuse Uber of allowing its drivers to skirt safety and insurance regulations that conventional cabs have to abide by.

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