Web Contracts Can't Be Changed Without Notice

RZG writes "The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled on July 18th that contracts posted online cannot be updated without notifying users (PDF of ruling). 'Parties to a contract have no obligation to check the terms on a periodic basis to learn whether they have been changed by the other side,' the court wrote. This ruling has consequences for many online businesses, which took for granted their right to do this (see for example item 19 in Google's Terms of Service)."

Comments

Re:Not a big issue

[ushering05401]

The main point, IMHO, is that the courts appear to be catching up with the tech world.

This is not an isolated incident, there have been numerous clarifications coming out that will help the internet become a more legally defined avenue through which to conduct business.

To see another example of courts starting to actually understand what they are ruling on you need look no further than today's /. front page... Check out the "Judge Permits eBay's "Buy It Now" Feature" story.

I have been following both court rulings and political decisions related to the internet for some time now, and I am finally starting to see some glimmer of hope that the most empowering utility of our time will not go down the crapper due to the ignorance of those empowered to regulate it.

Of course, there is still the net neutrality issue... but at least there is some movement toward understanding.

Regards.