InternationalTelecommunicationUnion

HIPSSA ProjectHIPSSA Project

Support for Harmonization of the ICT Policies Support for Harmonization of the ICT Policies in Sub-Sahara Africa in Sub-Sahara Africa

Model Law for Electronic Transactions and E-Commerce

Tana Pistorius, HIPSSA expert

PURPOSE

Facilitate e-growthFacilitate e-growthLegal certaintyProtection of individuals

Advantages of legislative Advantages of legislative synergysynergy

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General enabling

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Electronic Transactions5

Electronic commerce

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3 PIVOTAL PRINCIPLES Functional equivalenceFunctional equivalence

Translation of requirement to electronic environment

Media neutrality Technology neutralityTechnology neutrality

No prescribed technologyFlexible- accommodate future

technologies Compatibility with best practicesCompatibility with best practices W

International Best Practices

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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

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Public Key Encryption

Biometric recording

Pen & digitising pad hard copy signature

Data records biometric characteristics e.g. speed acceleration & verified against biometric signature data

Numerical identifier encrypted with biometric signature data

Also fingerprints, retina prints etc.

Illustration: Time of contracting

Time of contract formation

Canada: Communicated - when? Sent? Received? Steps 2-5

Belgium: Acceptance rule: reaches mailbox & possibility to take note step 4 or 5?

Germany – reaches host computer of addressee Step 4

Norway: Comes to the knowledge of addressee – accessed & opened e-mail step 5

SADC rule...RECEPTIONSADC rule...RECEPTION

Conclusion: Why is it NB??

Legal recognition and time & place = Basis of e-contracting & legal certainty

Peter Steiner published by The New Yorker on July 5, 1993

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Internet,_nobody_knows_you're_a_dog

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OUR TASKS: Detect & amend Detect & amend

Provisions tied to a Provisions tied to a specific specific technologytechnology

Provisions that treat Provisions that treat paperpaper and and electronic electronic formsforms unequallyunequally

ProvisionsProvisions that do not cover aspects that do not cover aspects of e-commerce and e-transactions of e-commerce and e-transactions fullyfully

Non-harmonised clauses – Non-harmonised clauses – UNCITRALUNCITRAL input input

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Questions…Questions…

Tana Pistoriuspistot@unisa.ac.zaResearch Professor: UNISAActing Head: Directorate Innovation & Technology Transfer

Adam Mambi

Union Internationale des Télécommunications International Telecommunication Union