Zero tolerance, indeed

Thanks to JoVE at Tricotomania for the head's up on this article from yesterday's Globe & Mail:

It could be the most costly piece of punctuation in Canada.

A grammatical blunder may force Rogers Communications Inc. to pay an extra $2.13-million to use utility poles in the Maritimes after the placement of a comma in a contract permitted the deal's cancellation.

The controversial comma sent lawyers and telecommunications regulators scrambling for their English textbooks in a bitter 18-month dispute that serves as an expensive reminder of the importance of punctuation.

Heavens. Get those lawyers a copy of Eats, Shoots, and Leaves. The illustrated children's edition -- subtitled "Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference!" -- if necessary.