Table of Contents
Smart Contracts in India
Smart Contracts
“Smart contracts” are a vital element of the many applications and platforms that are engineered using blockchain or distributed ledger technology. a smart contract may be a term that’s used to describe a coding system that will automatically execute all or elements of an agreement and is held on a blockchain-based platform. The code can either be the only manifestation of the agreement between all the parties or may complement a standard text-based contract and execute a certain provision, like transferring funds from Party A to Party B. The code itself is replicated across multiple nodes of a blockchain and, therefore, advantages from the security, permanency, and immutableness that a blockchain offers. That replication conjointly means as every new block is furthermore added to the blockchain, the code is, in effect, executed. If the parties have indicated, by initiating a dealing, that a certain parameter is met, the code can execute the step triggered by those parameters. If no such transaction has been initiated, the code won’t take any steps. Most smart contracts are written in one of the programming languages directly suited to such computer programs, like Solidity.
Smart contracts are currently quality suitable to execute automatic sorts of “transactions” observed in lots of contracts: (1) making sure the payment of funds upon certain triggering activities and (2) enforcing financial penalties if certain objective conditions aren’t satisfied. In every case, human intervention, which includes via a dependable escrow holder or even the judicial system, isn’t required once the smart agreement has been deployed and is operational, thereby lowering the execution and enforcement expenses of the contracting process.
Introduction
Contracts have turned out to be very common in everyday life that more often than not we get into one. From employing an auto-rickshaw to purchasing airplane tickets on the web, incalculable things in our day-to-day lives involve contracts. The Indian Contract Act, 1872 administers the contracts that are made and executed in India. It administers how the arrangements of an agreement are actualized and also classifies the impact of a break of authoritative arrangements. It gives a system of standards and controls which oversees the development and execution of an agreement.
In this electronic age, this entire exchange could be finished in a couple of moments, with the two gatherings essentially attaching their advanced marks to an electronic duplicate of the agreement. Thus, there is no requirement for postponed messengers and extra voyaging costs in such a situation. At first, there was a hesitation among the law-making bodies to perceive this advanced innovation. However, now numerous countries have established laws to perceive e-contracts. Though, the traditional laws that identify with contracts aren’t adequate to address each one of the issues that emerge in e-contracts. To the extent, India is concerned the regular law identifying with contracts i.e. The Indian Contract Act.1872 was unequipped to manage all the issues about e-contracts. The Information Technology Act, 2000 was hence instituted by the Parliament of India to fathom some of such impossible to miss issues that came in the development and validation of e-contracts.
Functioning
Szabo’s use of quotes around the word “smart” when comparing smart contracts to paper-based contracts and his eschewing of artificial intelligence is important.[1] Smart contracts may be “smarter” than paper contracts because they automatically can execute certain pre-programmed steps, but they should not be seen as intelligent tools that can parse a contract’s more subjective requirements. Indeed, the classic example of a smart contract offered by Szabo is a vending machine. Once a purchaser has satisfied the conditions of the “contract” (i.e., inserting money into the machine) the machine automatically honors the terms of the unwritten agreement and delivers the snack.[2]
“Smart contracts” is a term used to describe computer code that automatically executes all or parts of an agreement and is stored on a blockchain-based platform. As talked about further beneath, the code can either be the sole appearance of the arrangement between the gatherings or might supplement a customary book-based agreement and execute certain arrangements, for example, moving assets from Party A to Party B. The code itself is reproduced over numerous hubs of a blockchain and, thusly, profits from the security, lastingness, and changelessness that a blockchain offers. That replication additionally implies that as each new square is added to the blockchain, the code is, in actuality, executed. If the gatherings have shown, by starting an exchange, that specific boundaries have been met, the code will execute the progression set off by those boundaries. On the off chance that no such exchange has been started, the code won’t make any strides. Most smart contracts are written in one of the programming dialects straightforwardly appropriate for such PC programs, for example, Solidity.
As of now, the info boundaries and the execution ventures for a keen agreement should be explicit and objective. At the end of the day, on the off chance that “x” happens, at that point execute step “y.” Therefore, the genuine undertakings that Smart Contracts are performing are genuinely simple, for example, naturally moving a measure of digital money starting with one gathering’s wallet then onto the next when certain rules are fulfilled. As the appropriation of blockchain spreads, and as more resources are tokenized or go “on-chain,” savvy contracts will turn out to be progressively intricate and fit for taking care of complex exchanges. For sure, engineers as of now are hanging together numerous exchange steps to shape more mind-boggling savvy contracts. Regardless, we are, at any rate, numerous years from code having the option to decide more abstract legitimate rules, for example, whether a gathering fulfilled a financially sensible endeavors standard or whether a repayment provision should be set off and the reimbursement paid.
Practices of smart contract
Supply chain management
Every party concerned in the supply chain, whether in an open or limited/permissioned network, has the power to view the chain of ownership of any asset on the blockchain or the terms of the contractual arrangement covering that asset.
Smart contracts act as lawfully binding contracts among manufacturers, distributors, franchisors, and franchisees. These contracts are stored on a blockchain and trigger performance of the contract’s terms usually in payment, tracking, or shipping contexts. Once the smart contract is within the blockchain, no party to the agreement will stop the self-execution of the smart contract, nor alter its terms. there is additionally a high threshold of security owing to links between each block within the chain and a blockchain’s immutableness. Any dealings recorded on the platform can’t be erased.
The transparency of smart contract usage enhances the transfer and documentation of a product’s journey from its origin to distributors and supreme customers. in the food business, blockchain technology facilitates the open, clear transport of food products, which can allow the pursuit of adulteration, mislabelling, and spoilage, enhancing food safety and potency. There also is considerably less food waste as a result of transparency allows for accountability. importantly, this transparency permits reduction of food fraud, ultimately eliminating any underhanded dealing between food producers and giving the buyer population better data relating to a food product’s journey from production to distribution. Transactions are documented during a permanent decentralized record and monitored firmly and transparently. this may greatly scale back human mistakes; it can also be accustomed to monitor price labor and even waste and emissions at each purpose within the supply chain. creating supply chains, a lot of clear via smart contracts helps to smooth the movement of products and restore trust in trade. smart contracts will record ownership rights as goods move through the supply chain, confirming who is to blame for the goods at any given time. The finished product is verified at every stage of the delivery method until it reaches the client.
Insurance
The global insurance market relies on trust management. Blockchain may be a new way of managing the trust. Oracles integrate real-world information with smart contracts. This technology is beneficial for any data insurance that depends on real-world data. E.g., Crop insurance. smart contracts might even be employed in the insurance sector. This sector today lacks automated administration. It will take months for a claim to be processed and paid. smart contracts will alter and contour the process by automatically triggering a claim once when events occur. Specific details might thereby be recorded on the blockchain to determine the exact quantity of compensation. two insurance corporations, Atlas Insurance in Malta and Axa in France, tested smart contracts in 2017. They’d prototypes that compensated airline customers if their flights were delayed.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding has become a preferred method of fundraising for new start-ups and projects. Cf platforms produce trust between creators and supporters, but they additionally charge serious fees. Blockchain tech-based crowdfunding trust is formed through smart contracts and online reputation systems, which removes the wants for a middle man.
Legal functioning of smart contract in India
Parties to a contract are not only free to choose and agree on the contents of their contract, but they are also free to choose its form (except when the law requires a special form, such as in the case of the sale of real estate). For smart contracts to be binding and enforceable in India, the requirements laid out in the following laws must be fulfilled:
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
- The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)
- The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Evidence Act)
- The Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (Stamp Act)
Conclusion
The potential market for smart contracts is great. Smart contracts can actually change the way agreements are made across various industries. It however will take some time and require more development before it reaches its mainstream approach. We cannot implement smart contract technology en-masse, as more experimentation is needed at this point. At the moment, smart contracts are still a technology in their early stages. And existing challenges esp. the legal and regulatory ones should be solved first.
[1] https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2018/05/26/an-introduction-to-smart-contracts-and-their-potential-and-inherent-limitations/
[2] https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2018/05/26/an-introduction-to-smart-contracts-and-their-potential-and-inherent-limitations/
Author: Raj Vaghela,
Navrachana University