Canadian farmer to pay CA$82,000 fine for messenger likes - court rules emoji caption unfulfilled contract

It seems we need rules on the use of emoji in messengers. A Canadian farmer is forced to pay a fine of CA$82,000 ($61,440) because of a thumbs up in response to a message.

Here's What We Know

In 2021, grain wholesaler Kent Mickleborough sent out a message to customers wanting to buy 86 tonnes of flax. He then contacted a farmer named Chris Achter.

After a telephone conversation, Kent Mickleborough sent a picture of the contract requesting confirmation of the contract. Chris Achter responded to the message with a thumbs up emoji. That concluded the communication.

Chris Achter failed to deliver the flax to the purchaser, resulting in Kent Mickleborough suing Saskatchewan for default compensation. According to the defendant, the thumbs up emoji meant that he saw the plaintiff's message rather than agreeing to the terms of the contract.

Judge Timothy Keene eventually had to use a dictionary to make his decision. With his help he ruled that the emoji was an unconventional but acceptable way to sign an agreement.

Source: The Guardian