Deutschland, Uber allowed (for now): Ban on taxi app lifted

A judge in Germany has scrapped a temporary injunction banning Uber's taxi service in the country.

Today's decision by the Frankfurt Regional Court overturns an earlier ruling that put Uber's German operations on ice as it battles a legal challenge from the nation's taxi drivers.

The injunction was made as Uber and Taxi Deutschland, a trade association of cabbies, went to court: Uber is accused of breaking German law by touting rides without a valid license.

Taxi Deutschland was awarded a preliminary injunction, but today the regional court said the matter wasn't urgent enough to warrant a banning order.

"Uber is innovating within the framework of the law and is in constructive dialogue with policymakers about how ride-sharing best works within the German context," Uber said in a statement after the banning order was thrown out.

"We know by the demand we see for Uber services that Germany recognises the benefits of new and innovative services that include a safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly option at low cost."

With this latest declaration from the Frankfurt court, Uber will be able to restart its operations in Germany while its courtroom showdown with Taxi Deutschland continues. The California company's service could find itself permanently barred in Germany should it lose the case.

In the meantime, Taxi Deutschland has said it will appeal today's decision immediately in hope of reinstating the temporary ban.

"We can not understand this decision," said Dieter Schlenker, the association's chairman.

"The taxi industry accepts competitors who comply with the law. Uber does not. That is why we are announcing today that we will go immediately to appeal. We live in Germany, in a social market economy, and a business model like Uber's belongs in a capitalist market economy – it lacks 'social'."

Germany is one of several countries in which Uber finds itself under fire from taxi drivers, who allege the service is unlicensed and want it banned.

In London, cabbies have lobbed similar accusations at Uber, claiming the upstart is trying to operate taxis without subjecting itself to any of the regulatory controls that bind traditional taxi services.

That confrontation has led not only to legal battles, but has also spilled out onto the streets with protests against Uber. ®