A Comparative Legal Study on the Battle of Forms

서식전쟁에 관한 비교법적 연구

  • Received : 2014.01.29
  • Accepted : 2014.02.12
  • Published : 2014.02.28

Abstract

International sales contract, in general, is concluded through the exchange of written forms which contain each of their own business terms and conditions among the contractual parties. To illustrate, A sends the other an offer on A's general terms and conditions of business and B accepts the offer subject to the use of B's own general terms and conditions. Where the two sets of terms and conditions do not coincide, the question may arise whether the parties(A and B) have contracted and, if so, whose general terms and conditions apply. This situation is referred to as "the battle of forms". This article would try to make, in terms of the battle of forms, a comparison between the classical perspectives and opinions which are based on the principle of the English Common Law and the modernistic perspectives and opinions which are applied to the provisions in the UCC, CISG, and PICC. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide the increase self-consciousness with respect to the battle of forms between the contractual parties that may frequently happen in the international business transactions and will pave the way for further research in the future.

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