James Francis

Some months ago, I wrote a column arguing that companies should take emoticons seriously as a form of communication. Well, legally, they might not have a choice. These expressive icons could make you liable when you don't expect it.

Such was the case earlier this year for a Canadian farmer. A customer dragged him to court after he failed to honour a contract. He argued he never agreed to the contract. When he received the order through an instant message, he replied with a thumb's up (👍) to acknowledge reception. But the other party saw this as confirmation of the contract, and when the goods didn't arrive, they sued.