Points When Introducing Electronic Contracts Based on Their Features

An article written by Kenji Sarukura and Mitsuya Kosaka was published in “Intellectual Property Management” magazine.

“Points When Introducing Electronic Contracts Based on Their Features”
『電子契約の特徴を踏まえた導入時の留意点について』
Kenji Sarukura and Mitsuya Kosaka
弁護士　猿倉健司　小坂光矢

Japan Intellectual Property Association
Intellectual Property Management, Vol. 71, No. 8 (No. 848)
Issued on August 20, 2021
日本知的財産協会
知財管理Vol.71 No.8(No.848)
8月20日発行

Ushijima & Partners, Attorneys-at-Law – An article written by Kenji Sarukura and Mitsuya Kosaka was published in “Intellectual Property Management” magazine.

1. Introduction
2. Traditional written contracts and e-contracts
　2.1 Significance of preparing contracts
　2.2 Significance of affixing signatures and seal impressions
　2.3 What is an e-contract?
　2.4 Time stamps
3. Laws concerning e-contracts
　3.1 Electronic Signatures Act
　3.2 Act on Preservation of Electronic Books
4. Types of e-contracts and competence of evidence
　4.1 Electronic signature and electronic processing
　4.2 Contract party-type (honnin-gata) e-signature
　4.3 Witness-type (jigyousha-gata) e-signature
　4.4 Formal evidentiary power and substantial evidentiary power
5. Examination of introducing e-contracts and matters to note
　5.1 Advantages of introducing e-contracts
　5.2 Disadvantages and matters to note
　5.3 Points to examine
6. Cross-border transactions and e-contracts

１　はじめに
２　書面契約と電子契約
　２．１　契約書を作成する意義
　２．２　署名・押印の意義
　２．３　電子契約とは
　２．４　タイムスタンプ
３　電子契約に関連する法律
　３．１　電子署名法
　３．２　電子帳簿保存法
４　電子契約の種類と証拠力
　４．１　電子署名と電子サイン
　４．２　本人型電子署名
　４．３　事業者型電子署名
　４．４　形式的証拠力と実質的証拠力
５　電子契約の導入検討と留意点
　５．１　導入のメリット
　５．２　デメリットと留意点
　５．３　検討すべきポイント
６　海外取引と電子契約

The introduction of e-contracts and the discussions about them are rapidly progressing, stimulated by factors such as state-of-emergency declarations and the spreading of telecommuting owing to rampant COVID-19. However, there are several types of e-contracts with different methods of e-signatures, etc., and there are also several types of electronic signing services provided by businesses. Since it is not possible to eliminate the risk of impersonation or unauthorized access in the use of e-contracts, the introduction of e-contracts seems a not-so simple issue. In this article, we explain matters that should be considered when introducing or examining the introduction of e-contracts, their features and significance of the introduction thereof, as well as points to consider based on advantages and disadvantages associated with the introduction of e-contracts.

近時、新型コロナウイルスの蔓延に伴う緊急事態宣言の発令やテレワークの広がり等の要因により、電子契約の導入ないしその検討が急速に進みつつある。もっとも、一言に電子契約と言っても、署名方法等の違いにより様々なものがあるほか、事業者が提供する電子署名サービスも複数存在する。しかも、電子契約においても、なりすましや無権限者により利用されるリスクを完全には排除することはできないことからすれば、電子契約の導入は単純な問題とは言えないように思われる。本稿では、電子契約の導入やその検討に際して考慮すべき事項について、電子契約の特徴や導入の意義、また導入に伴うメリットやデメリットを踏まえて検討すべきポイントを説明する。