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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>67103</law_id><section_number>8.7-106</section_number><catch_line>Control of electronic document</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>8.1A-201</reference><reference>8.2-103</reference><reference>8.4-104</reference><reference>8.9A-102</reference><reference>8.9A-203</reference><reference>8.9A-207</reference><reference>8.9A-208</reference><reference>8.9A-314</reference><reference>8.9A-317</reference><reference>8.9A-601</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="8.7">Commercial Code &#x2014; Warehouse Receipts, Bills of Lading and Other Documents of Title</unit><unit label="part" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">General</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> A person has control of an electronic document if a system employed for evidencing the transfer of interests in the electronic document reliably establishes that person as the person to which the electronic document was issued or transferred. <a id="paragraph-243162" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A system satisfies subsection (1), and a person has control of an electronic document, if the document is created, stored, and transferred in such a manner that: <a id="paragraph-243163" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2a" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> a single authoritative copy of the document exists that is unique, identifiable, and, except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (c), (d), and (e), unalterable; <a id="paragraph-243164" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#2a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2b" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> the authoritative copy identifies the person asserting control as: <a id="paragraph-243165" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#2b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2i" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">i.</span> the person to whom the document was issued; or <a id="paragraph-243166" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#2i"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2iii" class="indent-2"><p><span class="prefix-number">ii.</span> if the authoritative copy indicates that the document has been transferred, the person to whom the document was most recently transferred; <a id="paragraph-243167" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#2iii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2c" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">c.</span> the authoritative copy is communicated to and maintained by the person asserting control or his designated custodian; <a id="paragraph-243168" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#2c"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2d" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">d.</span> copies or amendments that add or change an identified transferee of the authoritative copy can be made only with the consent of the person asserting control; <a id="paragraph-243169" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#2d"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2e" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">e.</span> each copy of the authoritative copy and any copy of a copy is readily identifiable as a copy that is not the authoritative copy; and <a id="paragraph-243170" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#2e"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2f" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">f.</span> any amendment of the authoritative copy is readily identifiable as authorized or unauthorized. <a id="paragraph-243171" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#2f"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> A system satisfies subsection (1), and a person has control of an electronic document of title, if an authoritative electronic copy of the document, a record attached to or logically associated with the electronic copy, or a system in which the electronic copy is recorded: <a id="paragraph-243172" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3a" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> enables the person readily to identify each electronic copy as either an authoritative copy or a nonauthoritative copy; <a id="paragraph-243173" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#3a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3b" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> enables the person readily to identify itself in any way, including by name, identifying number, cryptographic key, office, or account number, as the person to which each authoritative electronic copy was issued or transferred; and <a id="paragraph-243174" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#3b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3c" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">c.</span> gives the person exclusive power, subject to subsection (4), to: <a id="paragraph-243175" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#3c"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3i" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">i.</span> prevent others from adding or changing the person to which each authoritative electronic copy has been issued or transferred; and <a id="paragraph-243176" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#3i"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3iii" class="indent-2"><p><span class="prefix-number">ii.</span> transfer control of each authoritative electronic copy. <a id="paragraph-243177" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#3iii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Subject to subsection (5), a power is exclusive under subsection (3)(c)(i) and (ii) even if: <a id="paragraph-243178" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4a" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> the authoritative electronic copy, a record attached to or legally associated with the authoritative electronic copy, or a system in which the authoritative electronic copy is recorded limits the use of the document of title or has a protocol that is programmed to cause a change, including a transfer or loss of control; or <a id="paragraph-243179" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#4a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4b" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> the power is shared with another person. <a id="paragraph-243180" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#4b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> A power of a person is not shared with another person under subsection (4)(b) and the person&#x2019;s power is not exclusive if: <a id="paragraph-243181" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5a" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> the person can exercise the power only if the power is also exercised by the other person; and <a id="paragraph-243182" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#5a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5b" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> the other person: <a id="paragraph-243183" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#5b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5i" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">i.</span> can exercise the power without exercise of the power by the person; or <a id="paragraph-243184" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#5i"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5iii" class="indent-2"><p><span class="prefix-number">ii.</span> is the transferor to the person of an interest in the document of title. <a id="paragraph-243185" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#5iii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> If a person has the powers specified in subsection (3)(c)(i) and (ii), the powers are presumed to be exclusive. <a id="paragraph-243186" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> A person has control of an electronic document of title if another person, other than the transferor to the person of an interest in the document: <a id="paragraph-243187" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7a" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> has control of the document and acknowledges that it has control on behalf of the person; or <a id="paragraph-243188" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#7a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7b" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> obtains control of the document after having acknowledged that it will obtain control of the document on behalf of the person. <a id="paragraph-243189" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#7b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> A person that has control under this section is not required to acknowledge that it has control on behalf of another person. <a id="paragraph-243190" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> If a person acknowledges that it has or will obtain control on behalf of another person, unless the person otherwise agrees or <span class="dictionary">law</span> other than this title or Title 8.9 otherwise provides, the person does not owe any duty to the other person and is not required to confirm the acknowledgement to any other person. <a id="paragraph-243191" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.7-106/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2004, c. 200; 2024, c. 652.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
