A company contracts with a supplier to purchase "commercial-grade lighting fixtures" for its new office. The contract does not specify the exact specifications of the fixtures. Upon delivery, the lighting fixtures are of residential grade, which the company claims are not suitable for commercial use. How should a court interpret the term "commercial-grade lighting fixtures" in this contract?
"Commercial-grade" includes lighting fixtures intended for public viewing.
"Commercial-grade" is defined by the supplier's standard offerings.
"Commercial-grade" requires the fixtures to meet industry standards for commercial settings.
"Commercial-grade" is ambiguous and not enforceable against the supplier.
The correct answer is that "commercial-grade" requires the fixtures to meet industry standards for commercial settings. This interpretation aligns with the plain meaning rule, where terms are given their ordinary and customary meaning unless defined otherwise in the contract. The other options either render the term ambiguous and not enforceable, incorrectly restrict the term to public viewing purposes, or improperly define it based on the supplier's standard offerings, none of which align with standard contractual interpretation principles.
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