Second Circuit Upholds Uber's Mobile Contracting Process, Establishing Template For Mobile Online Contracting

In recent years, courts have issued varying rulings as to whether online or mobile users adequately consented to user agreements or terms of service when completing an online purchase or registering for a service. In each case, judges have examined the facts closely, particularly the user interface that presents the terms to the user before he or she completes a transaction. In an important ruling vindicating Uber's user registration and electronic contracting process, the Second Circuit reversed the lower court and held that the notice of Uber's terms of service was reasonably conspicuous and that the plaintiff unambiguously manifested assent to the terms, and therefore agreed to arbitrate his claims with Uber. (Meyer v. Uber Technologies, Inc., 2017 WL 3526682 (2d Cir. Aug. 17, 2017)). While clearly good news for Uber in this litigation, in blessing Uber's mobile contracting process, the court also established something of a template for other mobile apps to