Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects and problems of acceptance with modifications according to CISG Art. 19, comparing with UCC ${\S}2-207$. First of all this author raised two legal issues encountered when there is an acceptance with modifications. Scenario one is as follows : "Before either party has taken further action, there is a rise or a fall in the price of goods, was there a binding contract ?" The UCC rules provide for a contract if a purchaser sends out a purchase order and the seller sends back a sales acknowledgement form, and the items on the front(the price, description, and quantity) match up. The CISG on the other hand, is that most of the terms and conditions on the backs of the forms are important. Therefore, if they are different, there should not be a contract. Scenario two is as follows : "There has been performance, A disputes arises. What terms and conditions apply ?" The CISG and the UCC will probably lead to different results in the event the parties exchange conflicting forms and subsequently perform. Assuming that the offeree's reply contains terms that are materially different from the offer, the UCC provides that the resulting contract will include only those terms on which the writings of the parties agree, excluding conflicting terms. The CISG treats the material additions as a counter-offer and, in accordance with Art. 18, the offeree's performance may be regarded as an acceptance of a contract containing all of the offeror's terms ; or the offeror's performance may be regarded as an acceptance of a contract containing all of the offeree's terms. Second, this author raised three problems in the Art. 19 as follows ; 1) It is very difficult in practical application to decide what is material alterations even if the CISG lists material terms as an example. 2) There is a possibility for the offeror to speculate in the circumstance of market fluctuation as he has a change to object to the discrepancy in the offeree's reply. 3) There is also a possibility of inducement for the offeror or the offeree to send its own reply as a last shot.
