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Email, a Legally Binding Contract?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the this-one-smells-fishy dept.

slashrot writes "Boston.com has a story on a dispute between a home buyer and seller in which they agreed on terms in a series of email messages. Superior court judge Ernest B. Murphy decided that even though these messages only contain typewritten names instead of signatures, they still constitute a binding contract. It's said to be a first in Massachusetts." The particulary look to me like a home seller trying to weasel out of a deal, but the ramifications of the decision are substantial. This is really worth a read.

3 of 204 comments (clear)

  1. Terrific! by cascino · · Score: 4, Funny

    This means that all those companies that send me spam are bound to help me lose weight, reduce my debt, and work in the comfort of my own home!
    This is terrific!

  2. Dear Reader: by stinky+wizzleteats · · Score: 2, Funny

    Thank you for agreeing to give me 10 bazillion dollars. Please deposit it in the following paypal account...

  3. Bring it on! by praedor · · Score: 4, Funny

    So, when I've had sexual discussions with women over email, where we tell each other what we want to do to each other...that is binding? OK, fine by me. I can't wait to start fulfilling these contractual obligations.


    --
    In Bushworld, they struggle to keep church and state separate in Iraq as they increasingly merge the two in America.