Definition
UETA
A model US state law from 1999 that gives electronic records and signatures the same standing as paper ones.
In Depth
The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act does at the state level roughly what the ESIGN Act does federally, and nearly every US state has adopted it. It was drafted by the Uniform Law Commission to remove barriers to doing business electronically. One important condition: it only applies when the parties have agreed to conduct their dealings by electronic means.
US only, and in fact state-specific within the US. It has no bearing in the UK or EU, where the Electronic Communications Act 2000, UK eIDAS, and EU eIDAS play the comparable role.
Sources
- Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, § 7 (Uniform Law Commission, 1999 text) - A record or signature may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form. Legislation uniformlaws.org/committees/community-home