USA ESIGN

From eSignatureLegalWiki.org

USA
Legislation:	Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN)
Status:	Enacted
Year Enacted:	2000
Require Smart Cards:	No
Require Time-Stamping:	No
Excluded Documents:	None
Case Law:	None

Contents 1 History 2 Overview 3 Legislation Definitions & Excerpts 3.1 Electronic Signature Definitions 3.2 Requirements Pertaining to Electronic Signatures 3.3 Excluded Documents 4 Case Law 5 References

History

The Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) was enacted in 2000.

Overview

ESIGN is the US federal law that lays out the foundation for the individual state laws governing electronic signatures (see UETA). ESIGN defines an electronic signature and establishes that a signature may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form. This was a significant development as it federally acknowledged the legal legitimacy of electronic and digital signatures.

Legislation Definitions & Excerpts

Electronic Signature Definitions

(5) ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE.—The term ‘‘electronic signature’’ means an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.

Requirements Pertaining to Electronic Signatures

Excluded Documents

Case Law

• Unknown

References

• [1]: Link to official law.