Get Up To Speed On Electronic Contracts

I am sure you have at some point in this internet age purchased something online. Whether it was a single product or you signed up for a monthly service where you pay each month, chances are there was a terms of service agreement that you were supposed to read and then click checkbox next to it to verify that you did read it.

Think that little checkbox is not permissible in a court of law? You may want to rethink that notion. According to S.C.O.R.E., the counselors to American Small Business, “federal law now makes electronic contracts and electronic signatures as legal and enforceable as those on paper.”

If you are a business owner with an online presence and you plan on doing some selling over the internet, you should consider an electronic agreement between you and your customer so both parties are protected.

S.C.O.R.E. also says, “Be aware that if you start using e-contracts, you have to let customers know whether paper contracts are available and what fees might apply for the paper agreements.” You want to keep your customers informed so as there are no surprises that could lead to headaches later on down the line.

Even though the electronic contract is permissible in a court of law, you want to proceed with caution. The e-signature technology is still fairly new and of course for that reason is still evolving. Seek legal advice from an attorney in the industry on how to construct your online contract as to what could be the best for your business. A good attorney will have your contract cover all the basis.

There is no question the internet is an involving medium for business, pleasure and knowledge. Regardless of whether or not you are on the business side of the contract or the customer side of the contract, you need to educate yourself on what are your rights and what you can do to protect yourself.

Posted in: Business Opportunities