Understanding the Doctrine of ‘Caveat Emptor/ Venditor Rule’ as a Guide to Electronic Commerce Transactions in Cameroon: A Critical Appraisals

Abstract

It comes as no surprise that the growing influence of the internet and information technologies have ushered in the development of a medium of transacting or doing business called ‘Electronic Commerce’. Pertinent concerns are raised as to whether this form of commerce guarantees parties’ expectations and standards. Indeed, it is no gainsay that with such transactions lays a pointer to the entitlements and responsibilities of parties in the electronic contract/transaction. These aspects can be achieved through principles and doctrines that help aid parties in reaching a favourable contract outcome while acknowledging and/or with due regard to relevant legislation. As such, the aim of this paper is to ascertain the relevance of the ‘Caveat’ doctrine as a guide to electronic commerce transactions in Cameroon with a view to determining how useful it is in protecting the consumer in such transactions. Therefore, in achieving the said objective, the content analysis approach was adopted. Our findings reveal that the electronic commerce environment needs a more appropriate doctrine to guide commercial transactions between the buyer and the seller, and which particularly favours the protection of consumers who are most vulnerable in electronic contracts. This gives way for attention to be tilted to the ‘Caveat Venditor’ rule as a fundamental doctrine that assures consumer protection even in the realm of electronic commerce.