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Tell HN: Claude Code just accepted and signed a contract for me. Without asking

51 points · 98 comments · franze

  1. voidUpdate · · focus · HN ↗
    If a contract is automatically signed by an agent on your behalf, is it legally binding?
    1. GodelNumbering · · focus · HN ↗
      Not a lawyer but I can almost guarantee that the answer is yes. If it was a 'no', many malicious parties would simply start using that loophole.
      1. voidUpdate · · focus · HN ↗
        But if I paste an image of your signature onto a contract that says you give me a million pounds, that can't be legally binding for you, can it?
        1. entuno · · focus · HN ↗
          No, because you are a separate individual who does not have authority to sign a contract on my behalf.

          Claude isn't. It's a tool, that isn't capable of signing a contract any more that Adobe Acrobat or Photoshop is.

          OP used it as a tool to sign the contract. The question would be whether they did so knowingly and intentionally, if not then whether that invalidates the contract.

          1. chrisjj · · focus · HN ↗
            > Claude isn't. It's a tool, that isn't capable of signing a contract any more that Adobe Acrobat or Photoshop is.

            Incorrect. Claude.is far more capable. E.g. it found and applied the sig without user knowledge.

            1. GJim · · focus · HN ↗
              > Claude.is far more capable.

              Claude isn't a legal entity. It is software.

              OP is entirely responsible for the software they choose to use. Nobody else. If they misused that software, a court will not be sympathetic!

              1. chrisjj · · focus · HN ↗
                That's like saying a weapon is not capable of injuring.

                Capable is capable - regardless of responsibility.

                1. entuno · · focus · HN ↗
                  It's more like saying that a weapon is not capable of murdering someone.

                  No one is arguing that Claude can't stick an image onto a PDF. But that is not the same thing as signing a contract.

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