By: Alok Rao
Introduction: –
E-commerce is a form of business model, or segments of a larger business model, enabling a company or person to conduct business on an electronic network, typically the Internet. However, there is no specific meaning of the term e-commerce, which is usually used to denote a form of doing business by electronic means rather than by conventional physical means. E-commerce questioned companies’ traditional system trading with customers, putting together diverse business models that empowered consumers.
The most popular business models facilitated by e-commerce are:
- B2B: Business to Business (B2B) explains trade transactions between different companies, allowing foreign companies to develop new partnerships with other companies. As between the manufacturer and the wholesaler, or between the wholesaler and the retailer.
- B2C: Business to Consumer (B2C) defines companies’ operations providing end customers with goods and/or services. There has always been a direct interaction between companies and customers, but with e-commerce, the traction has been gained in such transactions.
- C2C: Business to Consumer (C2C) includes electronically facilitated transactions between consumers through third parties. Traditionally, customers have had interactions with other consumers, but only a handful of these practises have been of a commercial sort.
- C2B: Customer to Business (C2B) involves customers supplying goods/services to businesses and generating value for the company.
- B2B2C: This is an alternative to the B2C model, and there is an external intermediary sector in this form of the model to assist the first business transaction with the end customer. For example, Flipkart is one of the popular e-commerce portals and offers a stage for customers to buy a wide variety of items, such as books, music, CDs, etc.
As a result, the e-commerce world may appear uncomplicated and economical; there are several legal considerations that an e-commerce company must seriously consider and bear in mind before beginning and while carrying out its operations.
Learn more about Contracts and Drafting with Enhelion’s Online Law firm certified Master Course!
E-commerce law in India: –
Information Technology Act, 2000
The first ever e-commerce legislation passed by India’s Government was the Information Technology (IT) Act 2000. It was an act to give effect to the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce, 1996. On 30 January 1997, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution commending the Model Law on Electronic Commerce for favourable consideration by the Member States as a Model Law as they pass or amend their rules, given the need for uniformity of the law applicable to alternatives to paper-based methods of communication and storage of information.
The IT Act’s primary purpose was to include legal recognition of transactions carried out through electronic data exchange and other electronic means of communication, generally referred to as electronic commerce (e-commerce). The IT Act 2000 facilitates e-commerce and e-government in the region. It includes guidelines on the legal recognition of electronic records and digital signatures rules for the allocation of e-records, the process and manner of reception, the time and place of dispatch and the receipt of electronic documents. The Act also sets out a legal system which sets out penalties for various cyber offences and crimes. Significantly, under the Act, the Certification Authority is the focal point around which this Act revolves, as most of the provisions relate to the Regulation of Certification Authorities, i.e., the appointment of a CA Controller, the licensing of CAs and the recognition of international CAs. It has also punished crimes such as hacking, damage to the source code of the machine, publication of information that is obscene in electronic form, violation of confidentiality and privacy, and fraudulent granting and use of digital signatures. It also provides civil liability, i.e., cyber contraventions and criminal infringements, fines, the establishment of the Adjudicating Authority and the Cyber Regulatory Appeal Tribunals.
Learn more about Contracts and Drafting with Enhelion’s Online Law firm certified Master Course!
The relevant provisions of the Indian Panel Code, 1860, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Banker’s Book Evidence Act, 1891 and the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 were also amended to resolve the related issues.
Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008
India incorporated the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 to apply the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures, 2001 in India. The IT Act of 2000 was modified to make it technologically neutral and accepted electronic signatures over-restrictive digital signatures. The Act incorporated several amendments, such as implementing the principle of e-signature, the modification of the definition of intermediary, etc. Also, the State asserted unique powers to monitor websites in order, on the one hand, to protect the privacy and, on the other hand, to control potential misuse leading to tax evasion. It is important to note that this Act acknowledged the legal validity and enforceability of digital signatures and electronic records for the first time in India and concentrated on protected digital signatures and secure electronic documents. These reforms were implemented to reduce the occurrence of electronic forgeries and promote e-commerce transactions.
Learn more about Contracts and Drafting with Enhelion’s Online Law firm certified Master Course!
Legal Validity of Electronic Transactions in India: –
There are numerous legal concerns related to the formation and legality of electronic transactions, such as online contracts and compliance issues, which are dealt with below.
Formation of an E-Contract
The most popular types of e-contracts are clickwrap, search wrap and shrink wrap contracts. The terms and conditions of such agreements shall be made available to the contracting party in a manner which is substantially different from the standard paper contracts. By clicking on the wrap contract, the party’s affirmative approval is made by checking the ‘I agree’ tab with a scroll box that allows the acceptance party to access the terms and conditions.
In the case of a browser wrap arrangement, the website’s mere use (or browsing) makes the terms binding on the contracting party.
In a Shrink-wrap agreement, the contracting party can read the terms and conditions only after opening the box inside which the product (usually a licence) is packed. Such contracts are important in the context of e-commerce, primarily because of the form of products associated with shrink-wrap agreements.
Online Contract Validity
The Indian Contract Act, 1872, regulates all e-contracts in India, inter alia, mandate specific pre-requisites for a valid contract, such as free consent and legal consideration. The concern to be considered is how the Indian Contract Act’s specifications can be met with e-contracts. Also, the Information Technology Act, 2000 (‘IT Act’) enhances the legitimacy of e-contracts.
According to the Indian Contract Act, 1872, some of the essential specifications of a legal contract are as follows:
- The agreement should be entered into with the free consent of the parties.
- The agreement should be considered lawfully.
- The parties should have the authority to enter into contracts.
- The purpose of the contract is to be lawful.
- Terms and conditions associated with the e-commerce platform are of the utmost importance in ensuring that the e-commerce agreement meets a legal contract’s specifications.
Unless expressly forbidden, clickwrap agreements would be enforceable and legal if the provisions of a valid contract set out in the Indian Contract Act of 1872 were met.
Learn more about Contracts and Drafting with Enhelion’s Online Law firm certified Master Course!
There is no provision under the Indian Contract Act that written contracts be physically signed. However, the unique statuses do include the criteria for signature. Furthermore, the very essence of e-commerce is that it is virtually impossible to verify the age of someone who is trading online and who presents problems and liabilities to e-commerce platforms because the situation under Indian law is that a minor is not qualified to enter into a contract and that such an agreement is not enforceable against a minor.
In India, any instrument under which rights are produced or transferred must be stamped. The stamping of the instrument also depends on relevant stamp duty legislation passed by different states in India.
Standard Type of Online Contracts is not appropriate.
There is no well-developed case law in India as to whether the traditional type of online agreements is unwise. However, Indian courts have previously dealt with cases where contract terms, including common form contracts, have been negotiated between parties in unequal negotiating positions. Specific provisions of the Contract Act deal with unenforceable agreements, such as when public policy is opposed to considering the contract or subject-matter of the contract. The agreement itself cannot be valid in such situations.
The courts may place the individual’s responsibility in the leading position to show that the contract was not caused by undue influence.
In the case of ‘LIC India Vs. Consumer Education & Research Centre’
L.I.C. Of India & Anr vs Consumer Education & Research Centre & Ors. Etc. 1995 SCC (5) 482, the Hon’ble Apex Court of India interpreted the insurance policy issued by India’s Life Insurance Corporation by adding certain public interest elements. The court observed that ” in dotted line contracts there would be no occasion for the weaker party to bargain as to assume to have equal bargaining power. He has either to accept or leave the service or goods in terms of the dotted line contract. His option would be either to accept the unreasonable or unfair terms or forgo the service forever.”
Learn more about Contracts and Drafting with Enhelion’s Online Law firm certified Master Course!
It is essential to provide well-thought-out terms that shape online contracts to ensure that there is an ample opportunity for consumers to familiarise themselves with the terms of such agreements. In addition to the above, there is also a range of other legal, tax and regulatory concerns, in particular Security Issues, Consumer Protection Issues, Intellectual Property Issues, Content Control, Intermediate Liability, Jurisdictional Issues and Tax Issues, which need to be taken into account when dealing with e-commerce transactions.
Conclusion: –
Rapid growth in e-commerce has generated the need for vibrant and efficient regulatory frameworks to reinforce the legal framework crucial to the success of e-commerce in India. It has always been argued that poor cybersecurity laws in India and the lack of a proper regulatory system for e-commerce are why both Indians and the e-commerce industry face so many challenges in enjoying a consumer-friendly and business-friendly e-commerce climate in India. India does not have any dedicated e-commerce regulatory legislation other than the IT Act that governs India’s e-commerce and transactions. Therefore, the government should create a legal structure for e-commerce so that domestic and foreign trade in India will flourish so that fundamental rights such as privacy, intellectual property, the prevention of fraud, consumer protection, and so on are taken care of. The legal community in India needs the required expertise to direct entrepreneurs, customers, and even courts. The rapidly evolving market module can comply with existing legislation usually applicable to business transactions in standard modules. Simultaneously, it should ensure that the benefits of technology are unhindered by the judicious evolution of law by the learned interpretation of the court, and there is still a consensus that specialized law governing and controlling some aspects of e-commerce is an obligation and an exclusive requirement.
Learn more about Contracts and Drafting with Enhelion’s Online Law firm certified Master Course!