Every Session, Still There

Correct · D

D is correct. This transaction is a sale of goods between merchants, so the battle of the forms rules apply. Riverside's signed purchase order was the offer. MedPro's confirmation was a definite expression of acceptance. It repeated the dickered terms but added indemnity and arbitration provisions. Those are "additional terms," not part of the original offer. Between merchants, additional terms can become part of the contract only if certain conditions are met. One key limitation is that an additional term will not be incorporated if it would materially alter the contract. Clauses that change how disputes are resolved, such as mandatory arbitration provisions and broad indemnity requirements, often have significant practical and legal consequences. Courts frequently treat them as material alterations because they surprise or substantially shift risk. Here, the parties formed a contract for gowns based on the matching terms of the order and confirmation, and they performed under that contract. The arbitration clause was only a proposal for an added term. Because it is the kind of term that may materially alter the bargain, a court is unlikely to treat it as having silently become part of the contract. Riverside therefore cannot be compelled to arbitrate based solely on MedPro's boilerplate.