e-trade is serious - and now binding - business

The ruling is a precedent for e-trade in Poland. The case concerned an auction for a luxury grand jeep cherokee. The auction for the car was won by Adam S. from Warsaw who offered zl.23,000. According to the rules governing the Allegro auction service, the sales contract was thus signed. However, the owner of the car Robert P. changed his mind and did not sell the car since he was not serious and only fishing to see how much he could get for it. In summing up Judge Marcin Lochowski stated, "The Civil Code allows for different forms of sales contract conclusion, also in an electronic form." "The ruling shows that Internet auctions are serious trade, just like shopping in real stores," commented Patryk Tryzubiak from Allegro. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A3; Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 24) E.B.