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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>69066</law_id><section_number>59.1-480</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>13.1-1002</reference><reference>17.1-258.2</reference><reference>19.2-54</reference><reference>19.2-56.2</reference><reference>2.2-1606</reference><reference>2.2-1617</reference><reference>2.2-4007.2</reference><reference>55.1-1202</reference><reference>55.1-1800</reference><reference>55.1-1900</reference><reference>6.2-2000</reference><reference>6.2-2026</reference><reference>8.01-271.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="42.1">Uniform Electronic Transactions Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>As used in this chapter:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Agreement</span>&#x201D; means the bargain of the parties in <span class="dictionary">fact</span>, as found in their language or inferred from other circumstances and from rules, regulations, and procedures given the effect of <span class="dictionary">agreements</span> under <span class="dictionary">laws</span> otherwise applicable to a particular <span class="dictionary">transaction</span>. <a id="paragraph-250001" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Automated transaction</span>&#x201D; means a transaction conducted or performed, in whole or in part, by electronic means or <span class="dictionary">electronic records</span>, in which the acts or records of one or both parties are not reviewed by an individual in the ordinary course in forming a <span class="dictionary">contract</span>, performing under an existing <span class="dictionary">contract</span>, or fulfilling an obligation required by the transaction. <a id="paragraph-250002" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Computer program</span>&#x201D; means a set of statements or instructions to be used directly or indirectly in an <span class="dictionary">information processing system</span> in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to bring about a certain result. <a id="paragraph-250003" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Contract</span>&#x201D; means the total legal obligation resulting from the parties&#x2019; <span class="dictionary">agreement</span> as affected by this chapter and other applicable <span class="dictionary">law</span>. <a id="paragraph-250004" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> &#x201C;Electronic&#x201D; means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities. <a id="paragraph-250005" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic agent</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">computer program</span> or an electronic or other automated means used independently to initiate an action or respond to <span class="dictionary">electronic records</span> or performances in whole or in part, without review or action by an individual. <a id="paragraph-250006" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic record</span>&#x201D; means a record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means. <a id="paragraph-250007" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic signature</span>&#x201D; means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a <span class="dictionary">person</span> with the <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to sign the record. <a id="paragraph-250008" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> &#x201C;Information&#x201D; means data, text, images, sounds, codes, <span class="dictionary">computer programs</span>, software, databases, or the like. <a id="paragraph-250009" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Information processing system</span>&#x201D; means an electronic system for creating, generating, sending, receiving, storing, displaying, or processing information. <a id="paragraph-250010" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Person</span>&#x201D; means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public body, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity. <a id="paragraph-250011" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> &#x201C;Public body&#x201D; shall have the same meaning as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/2.2-3701/">2.2-3701</a> and shall also include locally elected constitutional officers, and anyone performing the duties of locally elected constitutional officers. <a id="paragraph-250012" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="13"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> &#x201C;Record&#x201D; means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. <a id="paragraph-250013" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="14"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Security procedure</span>&#x201D; means a procedure employed for the purpose of verifying that an <span class="dictionary">electronic signature</span>, record, or performance is that of a specific <span class="dictionary">person</span> or for detecting changes or errors in the information in an <span class="dictionary">electronic record</span>. The term includes a procedure that requires the use of algorithms or other codes, identifying words or numbers, encryption, or callback or other acknowledgment procedures. <a id="paragraph-250014" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="15"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">State</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">state</span> of the United <span class="dictionary">States</span>, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United <span class="dictionary">States</span> Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular <span class="dictionary">possession</span> subject to the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the United <span class="dictionary">States</span>. The term includes an Indian tribe or band, or an Alaskan native village, which is recognized by federal <span class="dictionary">law</span> or formally acknowledged by a <span class="dictionary">state</span>. <a id="paragraph-250015" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="16"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> &#x201C;Transaction&#x201D; means an action or set of actions occurring between two or more <span class="dictionary">persons</span> relating to the conduct of business, commercial, or governmental affairs. <a id="paragraph-250016" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-480/#16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2000, c. 995; 2005, c. 417.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
