What does the acronym GCU stand for?
GCU Definition
The letters GCU stand for “General Conditions of Use”. Whether a site is for commercial purposes or not, it is essential to bring together its information on a page of the website. Even if there is no legal obligation to have a GCU summary page on a website, it is strongly recommended to write one for site users.
The general conditions of use page allows you to inform Internet users about the content and terms of use of the website and to define the clauses aimed at limiting the publisher’s liability. The GCU page has a contractual value on a legal level, it therefore acts as a contract between the owner of the site and its users.
Interest of GCUs on a website
Making the general conditions of use (GCU) available to users initially constitutes a source of information on the functionalities and content of the site.
The GCU also provides information on the sanctions incurred in the event of non-compliance with its rules. Sanctions can go as far as exclusion or deletion of the account on the site.
In addition, the GCU makes it possible to provide clauses aimed at protecting the publisher of the website regarding users, which means that the publisher can exonerate himself from the behavior of Internet users on the website. It will not be held liable.
Finally, the GCUs ensure compliance of the site with the law in force by making it possible to control access to minors or authorizations to send emails for example. They can also bring together legal notices, general conditions of sale (TCS), cookies or even the personal data policy. The last ones being obligatory.
Difference between GCU and TCS
Differentiating between the general conditions of use (GCU) and the general terms and conditions of sale (GTCS) is not always easy. But it is important to know their terms and their differences. Indeed, the use of the General Conditions of Sale and General Conditions of Sale will take place in different situations. The general terms and conditions of sale (GTCS) govern the commercial relationship between the publisher of the site and its customers. They are therefore used only within the framework of a commercial relationship and are mandatory by law. While the T&Cs apply as soon as there is an exchange by electronic means, regardless of the nature of the site.
What should the T&Cs contain?
For optimization of the general conditions of use (GCU) they must be unique, clear, detailed and accessible to all users.
They must contain:
- A description of the website with the rights and obligations of users as well as the owner of the site
- Conditions of use
- The delimitation of the responsibility of the site editor
- Online payment terms for sales of goods or services
- Dispute resolution methods
- The methods of managing personal data
- Mandatory legal notices
Be careful when the relationship becomes commercial, it is necessary to have the general conditions of use (GCU) accepted by Internet users. As it is a contractual document, it must be clearly accepted by users when visiting the website. This validation is most of the time done using a check box next to the link redirecting to the T&Cs or at the end of them.