Man Fined Hefty Sum for Using Thumbs-Up Emoji – A Warning to All

According to BBC, a Canadian judge has ruled that the Thumbs-up emoji can be recognized as a legitimate form of signature, highlighting the need for courts to adapt to modern communication methods. As a result of this decision, a farmer has been instructed to pay a fine of $61,442 for breaching a contract that was sealed with an emoji Thumbs-up.

A grain buyer from South West Terminal was involved in a case that was being heard in Saskatchewan’s Court of King’s Bench. In March 2021, a buyer sent a text message to a large number of customers stating that they were interested in buying 86 tons of linen at $12.73.

Buyer Kent Mickleborough called farmer Chris Achter and provided him with a picture of the flax supply contract in November. Kent asked Chris to confirm the deal.

Salesman Chris Achter responded with a thumbs up emoji. But in November, Achter did not deliver flax, and by then the price of the crop had risen.

Thumbs up emoji meaning

The seller and buyer disagreed on what the emoji meant. The buyer used previous messages to say that the emoji indicated the seller agreed to the terms of the contract.

Achter explained that the emoji only meant that he had received the contract.

Judge Keene used Dictionary.com’s definition of a smiley to support his argument. By definition, emoticons are used to show approval, approval or encouragement in digital communication. Judge Keene said that while this definition may not be official, it matched his understanding of emoticons.

He noted that while a signature is a traditional technique for confirming someone’s identity, newer ways such as emojis can also do so. Judge Keene mentioned that the thumbs up emoji may not be a standard way to “sign” a document, but it still does two important things: it shows who signed it, and it shows that the person agrees to the contract. In this case, the signer was identified by his mobile phone number.