The Study Of Online Transaction Dispute Resolution

Either in business to business(B2B) or business to consumer(B2C) transactions,using Internet to collect information and doing business, have become a new channelof global businesses. However, online disputes not only embrace traditional issuesof bargaining, delivery, payment and quality, but also accompanied with issues arisingfrom the uniqueness of Internet, such as free flow of information, real-time,transactional amounts and logistic model. The current dispute resolution mechanisms,including litigation, arbitration and mediation, however, hampered in the digital eraby an age old challenge for business. With no uniform laws or court systems incyberspace, disappointed consumers are groping for ways to resolve online consumerdisputes that reflect the speed, efficiency, and convenience of online technologies.There is now a large body of experience with many lawyers using ADR as avalued approach to help their business clients. ADR has proven itself to save time andmoney, and in many instances, to help the parties to restore their business relationshipand avoid the acrimony of extended litigation. Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) is arelatively new development tailoring alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to meet theconflict resolution demands of the Internet, breathing new life into the ADRmovement.This dissertation will first introduce the development efforts for ODR. Part Twowill discuss the main forms of ODR being marketed on the Internet today, with aspecial focus on ODR services aimed at online consumer disputes. Both profit andnonprofit ADR organizations dealing with disagreements in cyberspace will beexplored. Part Three and Part Four will discuss, through introducing existinginternational mechanisms and experiences as well as in Taiwan, areas that must beaddressed before online shoppers can have solid confidence in the credibility andreliability of ODR providers. Part Five and Part Six will analyze the legal issues andconsumer concerns of ODR. Finally, this dissertation hopes to conclude solidsuggestions on establishing a better ODR environment and guideline for futurecross-straits consumer dispute settlement.