Electronic signatures go global

It has been 10 years since IACCM conducted a mock trial over the legality and enforceability of electronic signatures. Our panel of high-status lawyers came out in favor of electronic signatures – but then almost nothing happened. It is therefore great news that a top corporation like IBM has moved forward with global adoption – and you can learn more in a webinar this week – for details and to register click here.

Lawyers tend to be risk averse and, in the case of a subject like electronic signatures, they are unfamiliar with the law between jurisdictions. So the simple answer, when asked to change, is ‘no’.

And that’s the way it has been in most of the intervening 10 years. But now it is different. The IBM Corporation has moved to adopting a universal electronic signature. Along with this initiative, IBM  has simplified the contract wording and structure as part of its efforts at ‘ease of doing business’. It is all part of its work to enable simplified commerce and a recognition that most transactions will steadily move to mobile devices and hand-helds.