According to the "Mirror Image" Rule, how must an offeree's acceptance correspond to the offer?

The "Mirror Image" Rule dictates that for an acceptance to be valid in a contract, it must correspond exactly to the terms of the offer made by the offeror. This means that the acceptance should not introduce any new terms or conditions; it must completely match the offer. The rationale behind this rule is to ensure that both parties are in agreement about the terms of the contract, which is foundational for a legally binding agreement.

If there are any discrepancies or modifications in the acceptance, it could be considered a counteroffer rather than an acceptance. This is significant in legal contexts because a counteroffer effectively rejects the original offer, creating a new negotiation scenario rather than forming a contract based on the initial terms. Therefore, the requirement for an exact match upholds the clarity and mutual understanding necessary for enforceability in contracts.