Legal Aspects On Electronic Commerce In Shipping Industry

Electronic commerce, which is the intending global business model, needs compliant legal environment to support its development. This has been recognized by most countries and relevant organizations. Accordingly they make long-term researches on legal issues caused by the use of modern means of communication, trying to adapt existing legal framework to admit the conflicts. Until this time lots of countries have enacted their own electronic commerce laws. Even a few unified model laws has been adopted by relevant organizations dealing with foundational issues including but not limited to data message, electronic signature and electronic agent. The fact cheers researches focusing on specific issues generated in certain industry. This thesis chooses the shipping industry as background area for study on legal issues of electronic commerce.Although shipping is a traditional physical industry, it has been incorporating electronic commerce into broad operation for a long time. A statistical analysis proves that the leading matters in practice are caused by transmission of electronic documents, among which electronic bill of lading is the sticking point. The study is concentrates on relevant legislations and practices to find a rule to settle the conflicts. A resolution to Chinese legal framework is given here.Recently, a Chinese electronic model law will be adopted academically. The conclusion may be used for reference probably..