Avvo.com - Doctors. Lawyers. Ratings. Answers.

Expert Advice When You Need It Most

  • Sign in with: Facebook Twitter Google Linkedin
  • Sign in
  • Register
  • Are you a Lawyer?
  • LEGAL
  • HEALTH
  • Research Legal Advice
  • Ask a Lawyer
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Review Your Lawyer
Legal Advice
  • Lawyers
  • Doctors
  • Dentists
  • Legal Advice
  • Health Advice
Home  >  Legal  >  Research Legal Advice  >  Is Your Online Contract Enforceable?
Zachary James Levine

Is Your Online Contract Enforceable?

Written by: Zachary James Levine

Contributor Level 10
Business Contracts Sale of Business
Posted over 2 years ago. 1 helpful vote, 0 comments
Save
Email
Share with:
Tweet
1

Introduction

In order to decide if a contract is procedurally unconscionable, courts consider factors such as how the contract was entered into, whether the parties had adequate time to read and understand the contract, and whether important terms in the contract are conspicuous. Under the Uniform Commercial Code of many states, a term in a contract is conspicuous if it is presented in a manner “that a reasonable person against which it is to operate ought to have noticed it.” Courts interpreting this definition have looked to see whether the presentation of contract terms include any means to set it, or its heading, apart from the rest of the content displayed, such as difference in color, size, or font.

2

Don't Hide Your Terms

This step should be fairly obvious but too many website operators choose to bury their terms of service either on unrelated pages that customers are unlikely to visit, or at the very bottom of a page in a small font. No matter what size font you use, if your users have to scroll way down a page to view the terms (and they don't have to do the same amount of scrolling to make a purchase) chances are you're running an unnecessary risk.

3

Have Plenty of Links

This step is really a continuation of your efforts NOT to hide the terms of a website. If you have multiple pages required to finalize an order, have a link to the terms on each page, and have each link be visible. This doesn't mean that your website needs to be plastered with links but one visible link per page should suffice without disrupting the look and feel of your site.

4

Use Blue, Underlined Links

This may sound silly, but courts like consistency and precedent and while you may like the look of a yellow hyperlink for your terms in italic, courts are familiar with standard blue, underlined links. Chances are your customers are familiar with blue links as well so make it as easy as possible for them to recognize the links to your terms by showing them the convention they're used to.

5

Consider a Clickwrap Agreement

Clickwrap agreements require a user to check a box or push a button signifying that they have seen and read the terms before making a sale. Browsewrap on the other hand, assumes that users have read and agreed to terms because they have been conspicuously posted. While both types of agreements will be enforced under the right conditions, if the organization and structure of your site permits a clickwrap agreement it is always best to have an affirmative action that shows a manifestation of intent to enter into an agreement.

Additional Resources

WLF Lawyers

1 1 Helpful Not helpful

Related Questions

Return used car to dealer in remote purchase situation?

Asked in Mission Viejo, CA - April 13, 2012 09:56.

  1. Scott Richard Kaufman
1 attorney answer
  • As-is
  • Car Repairs
  • Contracts
  • Fraud
  • Money Back
  • —
  • more
  • As-is
  • Car Repairs
  • Contracts
  • Fraud
  • Money Back
  • Online Purchases
  • Used Car
  • —
  • less

Do I have a case against my car seller

Asked in Jacksonville, FL - April 23, 2012 07:54.

  1. Zonald Evan Spinks
1 attorney answer
  • As-is
  • Car Repairs
  • Online Purchases
  • Used Car

If an employer changes your pay structure from salary to straight commission, is the non-compete you signed still enforceable?

Asked in Fort Lauderdale, FL - September 23, 2009 12:50.

  1. Daniel Jon Woodring
  2. Earl Kenneth Mallory
2 attorney answers
  • Business
  • Contracts
  • Employment
  • Employment Contract
  • Non-Compete Agreement

Can't find what you're looking for? Ask a Lawyer

Get free answers from experienced attorneys.

 

Ask now

 
Required
Cancel

17,296 answers this week

1,893 professionals answering

Find Speeding Ticket Lawyers

Vancouver (15) Gresham (2)

Related Searches

  • Breach of Contract
  • Business
  • Business Bankruptcy
  • Business Debts
  • Business Loans
  • Business Partnership
  • Business Taxes
  • Business Visa
  • Contracts
  • Employee Benefits
  • Employment Contract
  • Finance Agreement
  • Incorporation
  • Limited Liability...
  • Non-Compete Agreement
  • Sale of Business
  • Separation Agreement
  • Settlement Agreement
  • Startups
Avvo Logo

Expert Advice When You Need It Most

Avvo Legal

  • Ask a Lawyer
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Free Legal Advice
  • Review a Lawyer

Avvo Health

  • Ask a Doctor or Dentist
  • Find a Doctor
  • Find a Dentist
  • Free Medical Advice
  • Review a Doctor or Dentist

For Professionals

  • For Lawyers
  • For Doctors
  • For Dentists
  • Claim Your Profile
  • For Law Firms
  • For Medical Groups
  • For Dental Groups

Company Info

  • About Us
  • Jobs
  • Avvo Blog
  • Support
  • Partner With Us

FOLLOW US ON Twitter Facebook

© 2012 Avvo, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines