Acme Corp has been supplying widgets to Beta Industries under a long-term contract. Recently, Acme Corp's CEO threatens Beta Industries that if the current contract terms are not modified to reduce widget prices by 20%, Acme will cease all future business relationships with Beta Industries. Under this threat, Beta Industries agrees to the new pricing terms and both parties sign the amended contract. Beta Industries later files a lawsuit seeking to void the amended contract. Which of the following is the most appropriate legal determination regarding the enforceability of the amended contract?
The amended contract is unfair and invalid.
The amended contract is ratified, supporting its validity.
The amended contract is valid as a result of mutual agreement on the new terms.
The amended contract is invalid due to duress during its formation.
The amended contract is invalid due to duress during its formation. Under contract law, an agreement made under duress lacks genuine mutual assent, allowing the affected party to seek to void the contract. The other options either assume that mutual agreement under threat is sufficient or incorrectly apply other doctrines that do not address the issue of duress.
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Can an amended contract be voided after being signed?