Attribution of electronic records is dealt with under Sec.11 of the IT Act, 2000. An electronic record will be attributed to the originator - if it was sent by the originator himself; by a person who had the authority to act on behalf of the originator in respect of that electronic record; or by an information system programmed by or on behalf of the originator to operate automatically.
According to Section 12, the addressee may acknowledge the receipt of the
electronic record either in a particular manner or form as desired by the
originator and in the absence of such requirement, by communication of the
acknowledgement to the addresses or by any conduct that would sufficiently constitute acknowledgement. Normally if the originator has stated that the
electronic record will be binding only on receipt of the acknowledgement, then
unless such acknowledgement is received, the record is not binding. However,
if the acknowledgement is not received within the stipulated time period or in
the absence of the time period, within a reasonable time, the originator may
notify the addressee to send the acknowledgement, failing which the electronic
record will be treated as never been sent.
Time and place of dispatch and receipt of electronic record is covered under
Sec.13 of the IT Act, 2000. The dispatch of an electronic record occurs when it
enters a computer resource outside the control of the originator Unless
otherwise agreed between the originator and the addressee, the time of receipt
of an electronic record will be determined as follows, namely –
a) if the addressee has designated a computer resource for the
purpose of receiving electronic records
i. receipt occurs at the time when the electronic record enters
the designated computer resource; or
ii. if the electronic record is sent to a computer resource of the
addressee that is not the designated computer resource,
receipt occurs at the time when the electronic record is
retrieved by the addressee;
b) if the addressee has not designated a computer resource along
with specified timings, if any, receipt occurs when the electronic
record enters the computer resource of the addressee.
An electronic record is generally deemed to be dispatched at the place where
the originator has his place of business, and is deemed to be received at the
place where the addressee has his place of business.
If the originator or the addressee has more than one place of business, the
principal place of business will be the place of business. If the originator or the
addressee does not have a place of business, his usual place of residence will
be deemed to be the place of business. "Usual Place of Residence", in relation to
a body corporate, means the place where it is registered.