What does an invitation to treat imply?

An invitation to treat is a legal concept that indicates an action by one party that invites others to make an offer. It does not itself create a binding agreement or contract. For example, when a seller advertises goods for sale or displays items in a store, they are inviting potential buyers to make an offer to purchase those goods, but this does not constitute a contract until the offer is accepted by the seller.

This understanding is foundational in contract law, as it establishes the principle that an invitation to treat signifies willingness to negotiate rather than an intention to be immediately bound by an agreement. In contrast, the other options describe actions or statuses that do not align with the concept of invitation to treat, such as a binding obligation or a refusal.