Real Estate Dashboard

E-Signatures

What is an E-Signature?

An e-signature is a digital mark made using a computer stylus, or by the use of a “key” or algorithm (basically a complicated password), to legally execute contracts and other documents.

With a tablet, you use a stylus (pen) to capture signatures – you actually write on the screen of the tablet PC. This kind of e-signature is often referred to by experts as a “biometric” signature.

Capturing an electronic signature on the tablet is just like capturing a handwritten signature on paper.

There are several advantages to the biometric method:

• Mimics pen and paper experience
• Greater level of consumer comfort
• Repudiation not an issue
• Security
• A party to whom you send a document signed on a tablet does not need their own tablet in order to accept the signed document

Plus, you don’t need to have an Internet connection to sign documents on the tablet. Just sit down with your customers in the living room and have them sign the tablet just as you would sign a piece of paper, without having to rely on Web access.

View the Demo:

Legality

Electronic Transactions Act enables E-Commerce in BC

Electronic signatures and electronic documents will have the same legal weight as hand-written signatures and paper documents in British Columbia when legislation introduced today by Technology Minister Graeme Bowbrick becomes law.

"The electronic transactions act will enable e-commerce to grow and prosper in B.C.," said Bowbrick. "British Columbia is a leader in providing services electronically, and by building a legal framework for e-commerce transactions to take place, the government is helping people and businesses to be more competitive in the electronic global marketplace."

Bowbrick added that he wants to ensure the electronic transactions act meets the needs of all British Columbians, and invited the public to view the proposed legislation and offer feedback.

"By making electronic signatures and documents as legal as their paper counterparts, transactions between businesses and from business to government will become more efficient," said Ian Waddell, minister of small business, tourism and culture. "There will be less red tape, and small businesses in all regions of the province will be more flexible and stronger as a result."

"This legislation marks an important step in advancing electronic commerce in British Columbia by overcoming any legal uncertainties that may exist with electronic transactions in both the private and public sectors," said James Matkin, executive director of the Law Society of British Columbia.

The electronic transactions act is based on the uniform electronic commerce act endorsed by British Columbia at the Uniform Law Conference of Canada in September. Nine out of 10 provinces endorsed the uniform electronic commerce act, which is the basis for similar legislation being enacted in other jurisdictions throughout Canada.

This legislation complements measures to bring online services to the public. InfoSmart, the B.C. government's plan to use information technology to deliver services online and make operations more efficient, was announced in April.

"InfoSmart is the government's response to a public that expects to find and use information, programs and services through the Internet," said Bowbrick. "Electronic transactions, together with traditional methods of service delivery, will give B.C. consumers their choice."

Electronic commerce is part of the government's commitment to cutting red tape. Electronic transactions can take place seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and one-stop shopping will drive down the cost of time-sensitive transactions for both business and government. Using technology will let more services be delivered with existing resources.

To view and comment on the electronic transactions act, visit www.ista.gov.bc.ca on the Internet.