EU court decision on Uber 'a social victory': plaintiffs

The Spanish taxi drivers' association that had asked the EU's top court to rule that Uber is an ordinary transportation company subject to regulation on Thursday welcomed as "a social victory" the landmark decision in their favour.

"This will truly represent a social victory, and the whole of society will benefit from this," Ivan Esma, spokesman for the Elite Taxi association, told reporters, adding that "the road will be long" for the ruling to be enforced.

Alberto Alvarez, another spokesman for the association, likened his group's battle against Uber to "David and Goliath".

"This ruling sends a message to society: if there's a will, there's a way," he said.

Montse Balague, the group's lawyer, added: "This ruling makes it clear that the rules of the game are the same for everyone."

She explained that the case had initially been brought before the European Court of Justice by a Barcelona tribunal for an advisory ruling.

The case now returns to the Barcelona court for a decision, which Uber will be able to appeal.

Uber, the biggest name in the growing gig economy, claims it is a mere service provider, connecting consumers with drivers in more than 600 cities.

But it has run into huge opposition from taxi companies and other competitors who say this allows it to dodge costly regulations such as training and licensing requirements for drivers and vehicles.

The case was brought by a taxi drivers' association in Barcelona, where belief runs high that Uber is a taxi company that should be subject to rules governing such vehicles.