October Term 2010 · Docket 09-1343
Can a foreign manufacturer face suit in a state where it never targeted sales?
A British machinery maker and a New Jersey worker dispute whether the state court has power to hear a product liability claim.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Arthur Fergenson argued the manufacturer lacked New Jersey contacts.
He stated the company did not direct activity toward New Jersey residents.
He claimed the distributor acted without the manufacturer’s knowledge.
Justice Kagan pressed the advocate on the scope of U. S. targeting. She asked if selling in the U. S. means selling in every state. She noted the United States consists of fifty distinct states. She questioned if the manufacturer wanted to sell in each one. Justice Scalia warned that broad jurisdiction could apply to any American manufacturer.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 20-28 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 20-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-32 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 16-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 46-52 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 46-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 30-38 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 30-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 6-16 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 6-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-36 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 34-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-28 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-16
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the limits of state court jurisdiction over foreign companies. The dispute centers on whether a manufacturer’s general intent to sell in the United States creates legal ties to every individual state.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 20-28 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 20-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 11, 2011.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
What each side wants
The manufacturer wants the state court to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction.
The worker wants the state court to keep the case and decide the injury claim.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 20-28 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 20-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
What each side says
The manufacturer argues it did not direct activity toward New Jersey residents.
The worker argues the manufacturer targeted the entire United States market.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 20-28 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 20-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked if suability in one state implies suability in all states.
Justice Kagan asked if targeting the U.S. market means targeting all fifty states.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-32 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 16-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 46-52 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 46-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 30-38 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 30-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 6-16 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 6-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-36 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 34-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-28 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-16
Why it matters
This case defines where foreign companies can be sued. It shapes the balance between state power and international commerce. The outcome affects how businesses structure their sales strategies nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 20-28 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 20-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-32 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 16-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 46-52 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 46-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 30-38 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 30-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 6-16 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 6-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-36 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 34-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-28 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 52-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-16
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 20-28 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 20-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 20-28 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 20-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.