When was the last time “I didn’t know ____,” actually got you off the hook? Perhaps rules of conduct in a learning environmnet could be one example, except that we are expected to learn the rules before beginning; and, not knowing the rules will not remove any ramifications that may be incurred.

In the modern day age of everyone suing everyone, ignorance of the law only becomes useful when one can show knowledgeable negligence on the behalf of the rule-maker (or company that set out the rules.) After all, you can only be held accountable for what you had access to know in the first place, right?

Even though this does make perfect sense, to lessen the whip-lash of consumers who might manipulatively use the “ignorance” claim, many companies make customers sign off that they have read the rules of engagement (you know, a disclaimer.)  ALivingHowTo’s Legal Consultant explains, “This is called a “contract of adhesion,” and actually inhabits some shaded areas in liability to law because there is no recourse to make amendments to the contract.” So, if I want to play, I have no choice but to accept terms I had no hand in creating and probably do not fully understand.

In the end, though it be tedious and confusing, and additionally impossible to alter from the start, wading through legal documentation before entering into a contract is vital to survival and success in this world. From stopping a subscription from renewing, or your arrest record that indicates you are not allowed to purchase amo as  a felon; ignorance to the law is unfortunately not a valid defense.

At least companies are equally legally bound to share as much information as they have with their market. In the spirit of legal integrity to you the reader, I have created a disclaimer you can find here. Please agree to the terms listed before continuing on to more How-Tos.