Electronic Commerce Contracting for Open EDI

Abstract

Open EDI is a concept appropriate to address the needs of commercial business-to-business relationships in an open environment. While open EDI, an open electronic commerce technology, can be used for ad hoc commercial transactions, delivering it over public open networks poses a challenge that contains a substantial legal component. How can the pre-transaction delay time be shortened in a way that allows for the speedy conclusion of the commercial part of the deal? Legal shortcomings can pose a potential danger for trading partners if not properly underpinned before initiating business transactions. Dynamic contracting procedures preceding the endorsement of an interchange agreement are a viable alternative to face-to-face negotiations. Recon is an on-line system to make available such a functionality over an open network by means of a repository of negotiated legal terms.