In addition to using the online service as a subscriber, Patterson also transmitted various computer files to CompuServe and marketed original software to other CompuServe subscribers through a shareware service. After Patterson accused CompuServe of trademark infringement related to some of his software products, CompuServe commenced a declaratory judgment action in Ohio. The World Wide Web A number of recent decisions have addressed the question of whether the availability of a World Wide Web site within a particular jurisdiction can, by itself, satisfy the minimum contacts requirement. The more elaborate documents on the World Wide Web are referred to as Web pages or sites. Most businesses that market their services on the Internet do so with a Web page that can be accessed by other Internet users worldwide.
Web pages allow businesses to market their goods and services to a much larger clientele.
However, having a Web page also creates a presence of sorts in every location where the Internet can be accessed. This presence has, in turn, opened the door to arguments for personal jurisdiction in states where the Web page has been accessed. Recently, courts have begun to struggle with applying the law of personal jurisdiction in the context of cutting-edge technological developments. As might be expected, the few cases to address these issues have not always been consistent. However, a number of general rules appear to be emerging.