Thumbs-Up emoji: A valid acceptance of contracts, Canadian court rules

In an interesting legal development, a Canadian court has recognised the significance of emojis within the context of contract law. Specifically, the court concluded that a simple thumbs-up emoji holds the power to validate and signify the acceptance of a contract. Thus, when an individual responds to a contract offer with a thumbs-up emoji, it carries the same legal weight as explicitly agreeing to the contract’s terms.

The case involved a disagreement between a farmer and a grain buyer regarding the sale of flax. The buyer had sent a photo of the signed contract, and the farmer responded with a thumbs-up emoji. The farmer argued that the emoji merely confirmed receipt of the contract and did not imply agreement to its terms.

The judge in the case ultimately sided with the buyer, ruling that the thumbs-up emoji did indeed constitute acceptance of the settlement offer. The judge noted that using emojis and other forms of electronic communication is becoming increasingly common in modern society and that the law must adapt to reflect this reality.