It is the first comprehensive effort to prepare state law for the electronic commerce era. Many states have already adopted legislation pertaining to such matters as digital signatures, but UETA represents the first national effort at providing some uniform rules to govern transactions in electronic commerce that should serve in every state. Much is excluded in this definition, including required notices, disclosures or communications by courts and governmental agencies. UETA applies only to transactions in which each party has agreed by some means to conduct them by electronically.
Agreement is essential.
Nobody is forced to conduct to electronic transactions. Parties to electronic transactions come under UETA, but they may also opt out. They may vary, waive or disclaim most of the provisions of UETA by agreement, even if it is agreed that business will be transacted by electronic means. The rules in UETA are almost all default rules that apply only in the event the terms of an agreement do not govern. Electronic commerce means, of course, persons doing business with other persons with computers and telephone or television cable lines.