A Canadian farmer has been ordered to pay more than C$82,000 (about US$62,000) in damages after a judge ruled that a thumbs-up emoji is enough to accept contract terms.
Chris Acheran agricultural business owner in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, had sent one such symbol in response to a photograph of a flax purchase contract sent to him by a grain buyer in 2021.
Months later, when it came time for delivery, the buyer – who had been doing business with him for several years Achter– did not agree to receive the linen.
This started a dispute that led to an intense search for cases in Israel, New York State and some Canadian courts to unravel what a emoji with that image, according to the June court ruling that appeared in local media this week.
The buyer, South West Terminal, claimed that the symbol implied acceptance of the contractual terms, while Achter he said he used it only to indicate that he had received the contract, but not to give approval to the deal.
In a trial, the judge T.J. Keene he claimed: “I am convinced, based on the balance of probabilities, that Chris gave the go-ahead or approved the contract just like he did before, except this time he used a thumbs up emoji”.
“In my opinion, the signature requirement was met by the thumbs up emoji originated by Chris and his unique mobile phone.”, Keene sentenced.
Source: Reuters
Source: Gestion
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