Watch those commas!

[yendi]

Anyone who has passed middle-school English should be able to parse this sentence: [The agreement] shall continue in force for a period of five years from the date it is made, and thereafter for successive five year terms, unless and until terminated by one year prior notice in writing by either party.

Alas, the lawyers at Canadian company Rogers Communications seem to have problems understanding it, and it looks likely to cost their company millions of dollars.

(Ganked from Robert Sawyer's blog).

Comments

[yendi]

Without that comma, though, the first five-year block of time is set in stone. Adding the comma means that the termination can happen at any point.

[tru2myart.livejournal.com]

*rereads* You're right, that second comma cancels out the permanence of the first five years as well. *runs out and buys herself a grammar book*

[yendi]

This is the internet -- no need for books about grammar when you can look it up online! :-)