It is important to understand that many commercial transactions are guided (I the word governed is not quite correct) by the Unified Commercial Code <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Commercial_Code> which helps harmonize business practices across states. This article <http://www.elfaonline.org/cvweb_elfa/Product_Downloads/novdecf1.pdf> explains a bit about and how "an electronic signature" is perfectly valid as long as the recipient accepts it. I have executed many contracts (and probably received many contracts) with a simple TIFF of a signature inserted at the Sign Here. I have also "signed" contracts through a simple email stating, "this email stipulates commitment to the the terms and conditions in your contract of....." And have used more sophisticated means when called for.
There are certainly more formal, secure, authoritative and less possibly suspect mechanisms which includes validating authorities as this piece <http://blogs.adobe.com/security/2009/05/sign_here_getting_started_with.html> explains. And there can be a greater degree of vetting electronic signatures for items considered very "confidential" such as Hipaa-regulated health care information. (I have a Microsoft HealthVault account so that a lab can send me test info) But all this is really about is confidence that the person who is committing to the contract is who they say they are (*and that they had authority to act*). (I was once under contract to an arts institution where the Director did indeed sign a contract, I provided work product. the Director was fired, and I was told the Director had no authority or budget to sign the contract and therefore the org did not have to pay, so have a nice day.) It basically comes down to knowledge of the persons signing, trust and safe expedience. There are times (and I am not saying loan agreements) when even a handshake is still good enough. (But when I rent an apartment to students, they have to sign with a pen. :) ) Hope this helps Len On Thu, Aug 20, 2015 at 9:13 AM, Berg-Fulton, Tracey <[email protected]> wrote: > Considering I purchased a house, and recently a medical device, via > DocuSign...I'd say that could be a viable alternative. Might certainly > speed the process up and keep people from losing forms and/or forgetting to > sign or initial in the right places (I believe DocuSign will pester you to > fill in fields before letting you send/respond). > > Cheers, > Tracey > > Tracey Berg-Fulton, M.Litt. > Collections Database Associate > Carnegie Museum of Art > 4400 Forbes Avenue > Pittsburgh, PA 15213 > [email protected] > 412.622.6509 > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > Suzanne Quigley > Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 8:51 AM > To: Museum Computer Network Listserv <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [MCN-L] digital signatures on loan agreements > > I just signed one yesterday with a digital signature. It never occurred to > me that it might not be accepted. I saved the doc as a pdf before i emailed > it. I don't see much difference between printing out the form, signing it, > scanning it, saving it as a pdf and then emailing it- other than all the > steps involved! > I'll be interested to hear what others say. > ++++++++++++ > Suzanne Quigley > 917 676 9039 > ArtAndArtifactServices.com > > > > > > On Aug 19, 2015, at 3:59 PM, Ellen Stevens <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > > Anyone out there using electronic (digital) signatures for loan > > agreements or other common museum agreements? If so, what methods do > > you use to verify the authenticity of the signature and the integrity > > of the document? I’ve read a bit about third-party certificate > > authorities but I’m not clear on how (or if) this works in conjunction > > with products like Adobe Acrobat or how it differs from Adobe’s ‘Fill > > and Sign’ functionality? > > > > Any information you’d be willing to share would be appreciated as we > > are just getting started….. > > > > Thanks, > > Ellen M. Stevens, Collections Information Manager Research & > > Collections, New York State Museum CEC 3140 Albany, New York 12203 > > 518.408.1522 > > [email protected] > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer > Network (http://www.mcn.edu) > > To post to this list, send messages to: [email protected] > > To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: > http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l > > The MCN-L archives can be found at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > > > The information contained in this message and/or attachments is intended > only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain > confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, > dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, > this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient > is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and > delete the material from any system and destroy any copies. Any views > expressed in this message are those of the individual sender. > _______________________________________________ > You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer > Network (http://www.mcn.edu) > > To post to this list, send messages to: [email protected] > > To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: > http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l > > The MCN-L archives can be found at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >
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