<p>We're implementing bitcoin-blockchain smart contracts in <a href="https://openbazaar.org/" rel="nofollow">OpenBazaar</a>.</p>

<p>OpenBazaar smart contracts are not part of the blockchain. The blockchain stores the multisig contract only; it serves as a depository for the money to stay before a product is delivered.</p>

<p>However, smart contracts <em>are</em> viewable at a later time, and either party can prove that the contract was in fact signed by their counter-party. Whether a public entity is able to view these contracts depends on how the contract was transferred between the two parties. Contracts are general means of exchange, so they can be transferred privately (e.g. via GPG-encrypted email), or publicly (e.g. by publishing plaintext on reddit).</p>

<p>In all cases, contracts are typically GPG triple-signed with public keys, and this signature is verifiable by anyone. If the physical identity of the person holding a GPG key corresponding to an OpenBazaar identity is known, they can be hold liable in traditional law court.</p>

<p>Of course, one of the points of OpenBazaar is pseudonymous transactions between merchants and buyers whose physical identity is not known. In that case, the contract may be displayed in a traditional court, but the court will be powerless. On the contrary, we employ arbiters and mediators that are able to resolve such conflicts of interest between pseudonymous parties, and who can themselves be also pseudonymous if they so desire.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-08T10:37:49.280Z
2014-08-08T10:37:49.280Z
dionyziz
<p>Like considering the Alice Bob ex where Alice is the customer and Bob is the merchant. If Alice and Bob signed a contract where alice will pay bob on the delivery of a service. The transaction took place at time "t". </p>

<p>Can some one query the blockchain at time "t+10" and see what was the actual contract signed between alice and bob? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-07T10:04:47.733Z
I don't quite get your question: you are asking about a paper contract that has been agreed upon offline, that then resulted in a Bitcoin transaction, and you want to look up the paper contract?
cdecker
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-08T07:13:18.337Z
No, I am referring to the Online Smart contract that was signed between two parties which resulted in a transaction. What if one of the parties then challenges the outcome of the contract in the offline world, can the original smart contract signed be reproduced?
Abhishek
<transactions><blockchain><contracts>
On quering the blockchain, can someone read what transaction took place?
Abhishek
# On quering the blockchain, can someone read what transaction took place?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-08-06)

Like considering the Alice Bob ex where Alice is the customer and Bob is the merchant. If Alice and Bob signed a contract where alice will pay bob on the delivery of a service. The transaction took place at time "t".

Can some one query the blockchain at time "t+10" and see what was the actual contract signed between alice and bob?

**Tags:** transactions, blockchain, contracts

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I don't quite get your question: you are asking about a paper contract that has been agreed upon offline, that then resulted in a Bitcoin transaction, and you want to look up the paper contract?  
> **username_0**: No, I am referring to the Online Smart contract that was signed between two parties which resulted in a transaction. What if one of the parties then challenges the outcome of the contract in the offline world, can the original smart contract signed be reproduced?  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-08-08. Score: 1

We're implementing bitcoin-blockchain smart contracts in [OpenBazaar](https://openbazaar.org/).

OpenBazaar smart contracts are not part of the blockchain. The blockchain stores the multisig contract only; it serves as a depository for the money to stay before a product is delivered.

However, smart contracts *are* viewable at a later time, and either party can prove that the contract was in fact signed by their counter-party. Whether a public entity is able to view these contracts depends on how the contract was transferred between the two parties. Contracts are general means of exchange, so they can be transferred privately (e.g. via GPG-encrypted email), or publicly (e.g. by publishing plaintext on reddit).

In all cases, contracts are typically GPG triple-signed with public keys, and this signature is verifiable by anyone. If the physical identity of the person holding a GPG key corresponding to an OpenBazaar identity is known, they can be hold liable in traditional law court.

Of course, one of the points of OpenBazaar is pseudonymous transactions between merchants and buyers whose physical identity is not known. In that case, the contract may be displayed in a traditional court, but the court will be powerless. On the contrary, we employ arbiters and mediators that are able to resolve such conflicts of interest between pseudonymous parties, and who can themselves be also pseudonymous if they so desire.


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