99% Invisible
😅⚖️
May 6, 2025
Talon Stradley, a producer with a knack for storytelling, joins Keith Houston, author of 'Face with Tears of Joy', to unravel the legal drama behind a seemingly innocent thumbs-up emoji that sparked a $62,000 court battle. They dive into how emojis can act as digital signatures, the cultural variations in their meanings, and the challenges courts face in interpreting them. The conversation takes a light-hearted turn with tales about the poop emoji's charming journey, illustrating the quirky complexities of modern communication.
27:29
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Quick takeaways
- The legal validity of emojis, exemplified by a thumbs up in contract law, highlights their evolving role in modern communication and disputes.
- The variability in emoji interpretations across devices and contexts necessitates careful consideration in legal settings to avoid misunderstandings.
Deep dives
The Emoji Misunderstanding in Contract Law
A case involving a thumbs up emoji sparked significant discussion about the validity of emojis in contract law. In this instance, a farmer and a buyer had differing interpretations of a thumbs up emoji sent in response to a flax purchase contract. While the buyer viewed it as acceptance of the contract, the farmer interpreted it as mere acknowledgment of receipt. This misunderstanding led to a lawsuit, with the court ultimately ruling that the thumbs up emoji constituted a valid digital signature within the context of their prior communications.
