Canadian judge rules thumbs-up emoji can represent contract agreement

A Canadian judge ruled that a thumbs-up emoji can count as a valid signature for a contract, ordering farmer Chris Achter to pay C$82,000 ($61,442) for an unfulfilled flax sale. Justice Timothy Keene of the Court of King's Bench in Saskatchewan wrote that the court "readily acknowledges that a 👍 emoji is a non-traditional means to 'sign' a document" but that it was a valid way to convey the two purposes of a signature in these circumstances. Grain buyer Kent Mickleborough, of South West Terminal, had texted Achter a contract to deliver 86 tonnes of flax in November, and Achter replied with the emoji. Achter says it only confirmed receipt, while Mickleborough argued it meant acceptance.