US courts to recognise digital signatures

American authorities are set to pass legislation that will make digital signatures legal across the country.

The US House of Representatives and the Senate reached an agreement on the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act late last week, and the bill is expected to pass both congressional houses, possibly by next week. President Clinton has already signalled his approval of the bill.

Many US states currently have laws that allow for digital signatures, but businesses and consumers want an end to the confusion about whether documents that are legal in one state will stand up in a state that still requires a paper and ink.

The UK Electronic Communications Act - which gives legal authority to digital signatures - came into effect last month. If passed, the US law will come into force on 1 October.