A Thumbs-Up Emoji in Canada is Now a Legal Way to Sign a Contract?
carry weight: to have importance or influence
Kent Mickleborough, a grain buyer, offered to buy 86 tonnes of flax from Chris Acter. He sent a contract to Achter, who replied with a thumbs-up emoji. Mickleborough saw this emoji as an agreement.
But when delivery time came, there was no flax. The price had gone up, and Achter’s company didn’t deliver. They argued that the thumbs-up emoji was only acknowledging the message, not an agreement to the contract.
Judge Timothy Keene saw things differently. He said the thumbs-up emoji was a valid signature. It was a new way to sign, but it carried the same weight. He ruled the contract was valid and had been broken. Achter’s company now owes $82,200.21 plus interest.
Does this open the door for other emojis to carry legal weight? The judge didn’t think so. But he agreed that courts need to be ready for more cases like this.
Sample sentences
1. His opinion carries weight in the company because he is the CEO.
2. The customer reviews carry weight when making a buying decision.
3. Your vote carries weight in the election.
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A judge in Canada ruled that the thumbs-up emoji can represent a legally binding contract agreement