On Thu, 30 May 2002, Steve Furlong wrote:
Summary: Recent laws have attempted to make electronic contracting binding, but they have not addressed some of the fundamental principles of contract law. These fundamental principles are often stretched or broken in electronic contracting. There is no case law on electronic contracts. I suspect that a contested electronic contract would be easily voided.
Thanks, that was very enlightening. The URL is good too - they mention that "An electronic signature is defined as being: an electronic sound, symbol or process attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record. " I would never have thought of making a sound as part of a signature! but for voice prints, it might be a good idea.
OK, that's the way I think it is, currently in the US. The way I think it _should_ be is much more caveat emptor, as Dr Mike and others have said, but the legislators and judges have neglected to ask for my input.
Yes, and even if we tried to give input nobody would listen to me :-) Most of the issues here are human interface, what is reasonable to expect for a valid contract. The only thing I've ever "signed" online is an order for parts via credit card, and so far it's never been a legal problem. But I see where there could be major problems if people aren't really damn careful, so I'll probably be a lot more careful than I thought I was before! Patience, persistence, truth, Dr. mike