WBU BUAD3318 CHAPTER 10 ESSAY

Corporate Code, Inc., sells business software—accounting and book­keeping programs, blank business forms, inventory control functions, and the like—in different combinations, in different packages, at different prices. Each package includes a shrink-wrap agreement that limits warranties and remedies. Developmental Research Corporation (DRC) buys a Corporate Code package and uses the product. Later, DRC files a suit against the software seller, claiming that the product was flawed and that the flaws caused DRC to suffer business losses. DRC asks for relief that exceeds the limits in the shrink-wrap agreement. What is a shrink-wrap agreement? Are such agreements al­ways enforced? Under what circumstances is a court likely to enforce this agree­ment?

On December 1, Petroleum, Inc., sent Rachel & Rico (R&R) a letter, via overnight delivery, offering to employ R&R to review Petroleum’s tax situation for the current year for $10,000. In the letter, the company stated that R&R had ten days to accept. On December 5, R&R sent an e-mail message that stated, “The price for the tax analysis seems too low. Would you consider paying $15,000?” Petroleum received the message without responding immediately. The next day, Smith & Taylor, an R&R competitor, offered to conduct the appraisal for $8,000. On learning of this offer, R&R immediately e-mailed Petroleum, agreeing to do the work for $10,000. Petroleum received this message on December 7. Explain why R&R and Petroleum do, or do not, have a contract.