2023-07-10 08:10:53
A Canadian farmer has been ordered to pay more than C$82,000 ($61,784) in damages over emoji confusion, which a Saskatchewan judge cleared by ruling that an image of a thumbs up was enough to accept contract terms. The case sheds light on the meaning and interpretation of emoticons in legal agreements.
Chris Achter, owner of an agricultural company in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, has found himself in a legal battle with grain buyer South West Terminal. The dispute stemmed from a thumbs-up emoji that Akhter had sent in response to a photo of a contract to purchase linen sent by the buyer in 2021. Despite having a long-standing business relationship, when the time came for delivery, the buyer did not receive the linen. This disagreement prompted a search for legal precedents to determine the meaning of the thumbs-up emoji.
The case raised the question of whether emoticons can signify acceptance of contractual terms. South West Terminal argued that Akhter’s thumbs-up emoji indicated agreement with the contract, while Akhter argued that he used the emoji solely to acknowledge receipt of the contract, not to indicate acceptance. The court’s summary judgment heavily referenced the thumbs-up emoji, with Judge T. Keen ultimately ruling that the emoji represented the farmer’s approval of the contract. Keane said the thumbs-up emoji met the signature requirement, deeming it a valid expression of consent originating from Akhter’s unique cell phone.
As a result, Akhter was fined to pay more than C$82,000 ($61,784) in restitution to Southwest Terminal.
#Canadian #farmer #fined #thumbs #upAgro #Plovdiv