Electronic Commerce, or e-Commerce, is fast becoming a trend in the world of trade today. E-Commerce involves the transactions of goods and services via the internet. It comes in different forms depending on the needs of the users. For example, Sir Pabellon who wants to order Playboy Magazine through Amazon.com would choose to use Consumer-to-Business (C2B) to accomplish his objectives. On the other hand, if Sir Pabellon would want to buy the complete set of the past Playboy issues from an individual seller online, he would likely choose Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C).

As seen in the case above, using e-commerce has a lot of advantages for both the business and the user. For one, the business operates 24/7, hence, the user can choose to purchase anytime he wants. Another big advantage of e-commerce is the efficiency and ease of the transaction. The parties concerned do not have to go through meeting personally just to close the deal. With just a click of a button, both parties can arrive at a negotiation. Some of the more popular e-commerce sites are eBay.com, Amazon.com, Sulit.ph, and PinoyAuctions.com.

Of course, with the popularity of the e-commerce going ever so quickly, some laws and regulations need to be applied. In the Philippines, the Republic Act 8792 aim to set the grounds for proper usage of the internet, and consequently, e-commerce. Some of the important articles are:

 Sec. 7. Legal Recognition of Electronic Documents. Electronic documents shall have the legal effect, validity or enforceability as any other document or legal writing as long as it can be authenticated
 Sec. 10. Original Documents. - (1) Where the law requires information to be presented or retained in its original form, that requirement is met by an electronic data message or electronic document if:
 the integrity of the information from the time when it was first generated in its final form shown by evidence aliunde or otherwise
 Same rules to written documents apply to electronic data or documents
 Sec. 12. Admissibility and Evidential Weight of Electronic Data Message and Electronic Documents. - In any legal proceedings, nothing in the application of the rules on evidence shall deny the admissibility of an electronic data message or electronic document in evidence on the sole ground that it is in electronic form

Source: Powerpoint on E-Commerce Law