Electronic Signatures-Esign Origins, Understanding Laws, and the Affects
On June 30, 2000 President Clinton signed the "Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act" (ESIGN) using his electronic signature ID, and thereby established the validity of electronic signatures for interstate and international commerce. In the fours year prior to this Act's passage a dozen states had passed similar laws and guidance for state specific business purposes, and in the five years since the Act's passing every other state has passed similar laws and legislation. What does it all mean, and in the end how can it benefit businesses, individuals and the nation or world as a whole? The best way to answer a question like this is to take a look at the origins of the law, and understand the reasoning behind its passage and the passage of the state specific laws. The Birth of the Electronic Signature - Faxing In the 1980's companies and even some progressive individuals began using fax machines for high priority or time sensitive delivery o...