Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Law
Just One Click: The Reality Of Internet Retail Contracting, Ronald J. Mann, Travis Siebeneicher
Just One Click: The Reality Of Internet Retail Contracting, Ronald J. Mann, Travis Siebeneicher
Faculty Scholarship
This Essay explores the enforceability and presence of pro-seller contract terms in internet retail contracts. Analyzing case law on internet contract enforceability and a survey of 500 firms'websites, it demonstrates that even the enforceability of many internet contracts is questionable. It then presents new data that suggest that the prevalence of pro-seller contract terms is far less than usually assumed. It suggests that the benefit of making these terms enforceable is outweighed by the loss of user friendliness required for the necessary interface changes. Finally, it uses fresh statistical analyses to determine what relationship, if any, exists between enforceability ...
Just One Click: The Reality Of Internet Retail Contracting, Ronald J. Mann, Travis Siebeneicher
Just One Click: The Reality Of Internet Retail Contracting, Ronald J. Mann, Travis Siebeneicher
Faculty Scholarship
Scholars for decades have noted the possibility that standard-form contracts disadvantage consumers. For many years, that literature focused on the idea that sellers with market power draft contracts that are disadvantageous to consumers. Law and economics scholars, however, have been skeptical about that hypothesis, pointing out that a strategy of inefficient terms rarely would be the optimal technique for exploiting market power. In recent years, however, the debate has shifted as new product distribution channels have changed the technology of contracting. Now, even firms without market power can exploit the cognitive failures of their customers through "shrouding" of terms and ...