Court Upholds Emoji as Binding Contract

Saskatchewan's Court of Appeal has upheld a lower court's ruling that a thumbs-up emoji constitutes a legally binding agreement in a grain contract dispute between a farmer and a grain buyer. This decision stemmed from a March 2021 incident where the farmer, Chris Achter of Achter Land & Cattle Ltd, confirmed a flax sale via a thumbs-up emoji in response to a contract text from South West Terminal. Despite Achter's argument that he did not formally sign the contract, the court determined that the emoji met the signature requirements for the agreement. As a result, Achter was ordered to pay over $82,000 in damages for failing to deliver the agreed-upon flax. The ruling emphasizes the evolving interpretation of communication in contract law, as the court recognized the emoji as a valid form of confirmation. This case highlights the necessity for clarity in digital communications, especially in legal contexts.