Legal Document

444 U.S. 286 100 Supreme Court Reporter 559 62 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 490 WORLD-WIDE VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATION et al., Petitioners,v.Charles S. WOODSON, District Judge of Creek County, Oklahoma, al. Number 78-1078. Argued Oct. 3, 1979. Decided Jan. 21, 1980. Syllabus A products-liability action was instituted in an Oklahoma state court by respondents husband and wife to recover for personal injuries sustained accident involving automobile that had been purchased them New York while they were residents being driven through at the time accident. The defendants included retailer its wholesaler (petitioners), corporations did no business Oklahoma. Petitioners entered special appearances, claiming Oklahoma's exercise jurisdiction over would offend limitations on State's imposed Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. trial rejected petitioners' claims then sought, but denied a writ prohibition restrain respondent judge from exercising personam them. Held: Consistently with Clause, may not petitioners. Pp. 291-209. (a) nonresident defendant only so long as there exist "minimum contacts" between forum State. International Shoe company versus Washington, 326 310, 66 154, 90 L.Ed. 95. defendant's contacts State must be such maintenance suit does traditional notions fair play substantial justice, id., 316, S.Ct., 158, relationship it is "reasonable . require corporation defend particular which brought there," 317, 158. "does contemplate make binding judgment against individual or corporate has contacts, ties, relations." Id., 319, 159. 291-294. (b) Here, total absence record those affiliating circumstances are necessary predicate any state-court jurisdiction. carry activity whatsoever Oklahoma; close sales perform services there, avail themselves none benefits law, solicit either salespersons advertising reasonably calculated reach Nor show regularly sell cars indirectly, others, serve seek market. Although foreseeable automobiles sold petitioners travel here might cause injury "foreseeability" alone sufficient benchmark under Clause. foreseeability critical due process analysis mere likelihood product will find way into State, rather conduct connection he should anticipate haled there. can supported theory earn revenue goods used 295-299. Okl., 585 Pacific Reporter, 2nd 351, reversed. Herbert Rubin, City, Jefferson G. Greer, Tulsa, respondents. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 issue before us whether, consistently Amendment, wholesale distributor action, when defendants' fact became involved 2 * Respondents Harry Kay Robinson new Audi petitioner Seaway Volkswagen, Incorporated (Seaway), Massena, N. Y., 1976. following year family, who resided York, left home Arizona. As passed another car struck their rear, causing fire severely burned her two children.1 3 Robinsons2 subsequently Okla., resulted defective design placement Audi's gas tank fuel system. They joined automobile's manufacturer, NSU Auto Union Aktiengesellschaft (Audi); importer Volkswagen America, (Volkswagen); regional distributor, World-Wide Corporation (World-Wide); retail dealer, Seaway. appearances,3 Amendment.4 4 facts presented showed incorporated office York. It distributes vehicles, parts, accessories, contract dealers Jersey, Connecticut. Seaway, one these dealers, place Insofar reveals, fully independent whose relations each other contractual only. adduced evidence ships sells products agent receive purchases advertisements media In fact, respondents' counsel conceded oral argument, Tr. Oral Arg. 32, showing ever single exception vehicle present case. 5 Despite apparent paucity constitutional claim reaffirmed ruling denying motion reconsideration.5 sought Judge, Charles Woodson, renewed contention that, because "minimal contacts," App. actions violation rights 6 writ, 351 (1978),6 holding authorized "long-arm" statute Okla.Stat., Tit. 12, § 1701.03(a)(4) (1971).7 noted proper approach test both statutory standards, distinguish questions, probably interpreted conferring limits permitted Constitution.8 court's rationale contained paragraph, P.2d, 354: 7 "In case us, distributed very purpose mobile foresee possible use This especially true exclusive right distribute Jersey below demonstrated we believe reasonable infer, given value automobile, derive income case, hold presented, justified concluding consumed this State." 8 We granted certiorari, 440 907, 99 1212, 59 453 (1979), consider important question respect resolve conflict highest courts least four States.9 reverse. II 9 Amendment power render valid defendant. Kulko California Superior Court, 436 84, 91, 98 1690, 1696, 56 132 (1978). rendered void rendering entitled full faith credit elsewhere. Pennoyer Neff, 95 714, 732-733, 24 565 (1878). requires adequate notice suit, Mullane Central Hanover Trust Co., 339 306, 313-314, 70 652, 657, 94 865 (1950), subject court, (1945). contended inadequate; whether courts. 10 settled, reaffirm today, supra, concept minimum turn, seen related, distinguishable, functions. protects burdens litigating distant inconvenient forum. And acts ensure courts, do out beyond status coequal sovereigns federal 11 protection litigation typically described terms "reasonableness" "fairness." have said 'traditional justice.' " quoting Milliken Meyer, 311 457, 463, 61 339, 342, 85 278 (1940). there." U.S., Implicit emphasis reasonableness understanding burden defendant, always primary concern, appropriate considered light relevant factors, including interest adjudicating dispute, see McGee Life insurance 355 220, 223, 78 199, 201, 223 (1957); plaintiff's obtaining convenient effective relief, 92, 1697, adequately protected choose forum, cf. Shaffer Heitner, 433 186, 211, n. 37, 97 2569, 2583, 53 683 (1977); interstate judicial system's most efficient resolution controversies; shared several furthering fundamental substantive social policies, 93, 98, 1700. 12 role guarantor litigation, substantially relaxed years. 222223, trend largely attributable transformation American economy: 13 "Today many commercial transactions touch more involve parties separated continent. With increasing nationalization commerce come great increase amount conducted mail across lines. At same modern transportation communication made much less burdensome party sued himself where engages economic activity." 14 historical developments McGee, course, accelerated generation since decided. 15 Nevertheless, never accepted proposition lines irrelevant jurisdictional purposes, nor could we, remain faithful principles federalism embodied Constitution. interdependence foreseen desired Framers. Commerce provided Nation common market, "free trade unit" debarred acting separable entities. Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 KF135 P2 Hood & Sons, Du Mond, 336 525, 538, 69 665, 93 (1949). But Framers also intended retain essential attributes sovereignty, including, particular, sovereign try causes sovereignty implied limitation all sister States—a express implicit original scheme Constitution 16 Hence, even abandoning shibboleth "[t]he authority every tribunal necessarily restricted territorial established," 720, emphasized asserting assessed "in context our system government," stressed ensures fairness, "orderly administration laws," Hanson Denckla, 357 235, 250-251, 1228, 1283 (1958): 17 "As technological progress increased flow States, need nonresidents undergone similar increase. time, communications defense foreign burdensome. response changes, requirements evolved rigid rule 565, flexible standard mistake assume heralds eventual demise restrictions [Citation omitted.] Those than guarantee immunity litigation. consequence respective States." 18 Thus, Even if suffer minimal inconvenience forced litigate tribunals State; strong applying law controversy; location instrument federalism, sometimes act divest judgment. 251, 254, 1238, 1240. III 19 Applying hand,10 privileges law. customers short, base one, isolated occurrence whatever inferences drawn therefrom: fortuitous circumstance residents, happened passing 20 argued, however, "foreseeable" Robinsons' Yet doubt settlor Delaware trust move Florida appointment there; yet held constitutionally trustee (1978), surely divorced domicile marriage, minor daughter live mother. child-support former remained 21 If criterion, local tire Pennsylvania blowout occurs Erlanger Mills, Cohoes Fibre Inc., 239 Federal 502, 507 (CA4 1956); Wisconsin seller jack damage caused Reilly Phil Tolkan Pontiac, 372 F.Supp. 1205 (N.J.1974); soft-drink concessionaire summoned Alaska account happening Uppgren Executive Aviation Services, 304 165, 170-171 (Minn.1969). Every chattels effect appoint chattel his service process. His amenability chattel. recently abandoned outworn Harris Balk, 198 215, 25 625, 49 1023 (1905), creditor debt extinguished otherwise affected having transitory debtor. (1977). Having inferred mechanical creditor's quasi rem travels debtor, unwilling endorse analogous principle case.11 22 say, wholly irrelevant. Rather, See 97-98, 1699-1700; 216, 2586, 217-219, 2586-2587 (Stevens, J., concurring judgment). ensuring 159, gives degree predictability legal allows potential structure some assurance liable suit. 23 When "purposefully avails itself privilege conducting activities within State," 253, 1240, clear alleviate risk procuring insurance, expected costs customers, or, risks too great, severing Hence sale manufacturer simply occurrence, arises efforts directly market unreasonable allegedly merchandise source owner others. exceed powers asserts delivers stream expectation consumers Cf. Gray Radiator Standard Sanitary Corp., Ill.2d 432, 176 North Eastern 761 (1961). basis Seaway's Y. World-Wide's although larger, limited There outside tristate area. purchasers take "unilateral cannot satisfy requirement contact 1239-1240. variant previous found, 354-355, drawing inference others also. While seems compelling instant factual findings order reject reasoning. 26 argument point purchase revenue, occur capable like observe travel, facilitated extensive chain centers throughout country, Oklahoma.12 However, financial accruing collateral relation support stem cognizable 94-95, 1698-1699. view, marginal revenues virtue far attenuated justify 27 Because "contacts, relations" 28 Reversed. 29 BRENNAN, dissenting. 30 holds bars cases. decides fails required N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions reads progeny narrowly, standards enunciated cases already obsolete boundaries, dissent. 31 Court's opinions focus tightly existence doing, accord little weight strength fail explore actual inquiry locating absent offends Shoe, fairness reasonableness. specifically declined establish based quantum defendant: 32 "Whether satisfied depend upon quality nature orderly laws clause insure. That 160 (emphasis added). 33 some, merely giving content determination 34 Surely contemplated significance diminish consideration helped reasonable. interests proceeding considerations. (1957), instance, accorded importance "manifest providing means redress" citizens. 1697; 208, 2581, 313, (1950). 35 Another bear defending supra. lesser reduce unfairness despite significant contacts. burden, dimension. protect 224, sensible turn solely number miles courtroom.1 Instead, "burden" analyzed relates mobility defense. For hamper witnesses immobile, disproportionately large transported expense, away duration work hardship interests. 36 considerations "best 228, 2592 (BRENNAN, dissenting). entitlement best matter, Under restrictive view action. determine minimum.2 37 cases, permitting go forward, connected linked unreasonable. Accordingly, neither unfair Atlantic 38 78-952, 320, 571, 516, suggest Minnesota interested filed bona fide resident forum.3 Consequently, Minnesota's to, than, regulating companies" doing State.4 332, 579. Moreover, "attempted assert [its] particularized trying enacting statute." Kulko, 1700; 221, 201. prosecute someone injured him could, lack funds, entirely unable bring residence makes few fora (the usually occurred).5 39 addition, slight. Friendly recognized, emphasizes identifying real impact lawsuit. O'Connor Lee-Hy Paving 579 194, 200 (CA2 1978) (upholding constitutionality York's after ). Here insurer, concededly amenable carefully liability prayer damages policy's limit.6 insurer handle nominal active cooperation policy requires. ease airline transportation, lose significantly home. went forward Minnesota, almost expense what face named direct permissible. Watson Employers Liability 348 66, 75 166, 74 (1954); Minichiello Rosenberg, 410 106, 109-110 1968). distinction formal, "analytica[l] prerequisite," 331, 578, making insured party. addition appellant's name complaint suffice create violation.7 40 Finally, exist. insurer's presence advantage well selecting did. An offices easier become traveling. "State Farm's decision completely adventitious Rush concerned." 328-329, 577. By buying Farm policy, availed among things, facilitate appellant resident. read nationwide network burdened it. 41 sum, deprived submit first defendants, second sufficiently B 42 78-1078, 286, 559, 490, strong. underlying occurred plaintiffs hospitalized Essential 2581. legitimate enforcing designed keep highway safe, proceed efficiently anywhere else. 43 unconnected territories, accident.8 true, suggests, sincerely limit territory, accept territory. obviously unrealistic hopes treated automatic shield.9 44 stationary item place. moved around. Someone selling numbers hardly plead ignorance pretend stay put sold. dealer foresees move. 295, 566. actually intends "do business." purposefully inject States. 94, 1698; 1239, (1958). 45 Ohio Wyandotte Chemicals 401 493, 91 1005, 256 (1971). indicated, course leave file original-jurisdiction dumped pollutants streams Ohio's ultimately, water, Lake Erie Ohio. No acts, consequences, just natural force equally predictable released States.10 46 accepts "serves" "indirectly" "deliver[ing] 297-298, 567. difficult why distribution consumer, using knew customer would, took there.11 injects predictably State.12 47 Furthermore, derives own. part extensive, highways. Significant portions constructed maintained programs, contribute businesses. Additionally, related dealerships departments operates country various enhances businesses facilitating customers' 48 errs conclusion, 299, 568 added), "petitioners 'contacts, relations' and, affirmance judgments outer Shoe's principle. principle, outdated. MARSHALL wrote 212, 2584: '[T]raditional justice' readily offended perpetuation ancient forms longer adoption procedures ." 50 inherited (1878), represented last major step taken liberalizing doctrine Though advance, society changed ways decided 1945. Black, writing 222, recognized "a clearly discernible toward expanding permissible scope nonresidents." He explained follows: 51 national economy Today 222-223, 52 acknowledges, 292-293, 1957.13 model accurate. Business people, matter how businesses, business' locality. Customers else hours days. answering allow loom today's world laws" provides firm according defendants.14 Certainly, violated suffers inconvenience. 294, 565. 54 conclusion draw concepts extreme concern once necessary. dissent 2588 "among parties, contested transaction, State."15 determinative. "[W]hen suitor seeks lodge seeing own applied transaction question, wisely minimize conflicts, confusion, uncertainty adopting liberal jurisdiction, unless efficiency strongly opposite direction."16 225-226, 2591. dissenting 258-259, 1242, expressed concerns suggesting growing "unless impose heavy disproportionate referred "17 Assuming opportunity defend, think board plane get site trial. 55 78-1078 suggests ought "such there."18 297, nothing unfair, about recognizing reality. Given tremendous inability businessmen control (or retailers), complete geographical stretch Jurisdiction premised notion somehow impliedly consented People understand responsible consequences affecting actor prepared answer reason boundary crossed.19 allowing fear disappear. argument's premise wrong. abolish strip boundaries significance, Hanson, 260, 1243 (Black, dissenting); still plaintiff demonstrate trial.20 57 also, unjustified veto certain fora—a justifiably enjoyed ago distances slow unpredictable impractical exaggerated. repeat world. chosen defendant), interest, F.2d, excuse appear.21 58 am convinced "heavy burden" suits. shield appearing plaintiffs' fora. MARSHALL, whom BLACKMUN joins, 60 years measure established: "[D]ue personam, territory (1945), corollary, forbids assertion "with relations," 160, clear. justice evaluation "the [defendant's] activity," ibid., susceptible further definition, surprising apply. 63 minds differ alleged "relationship defendant[s], litigation," 204, 2580, (1977), Shoe. concerned, majority reached result taking unnecessarily narrow forum-related conduct. "respondents Oklahoma." Ante, 295. agree sustain present. happenstance unilateral deliberate purposeful choosing nationwide, indeed global, marketing servicing automobiles. 64 sellers utility mobility. unique society, discussed BLACKMUN'S opinion, post, 318, needs elaboration. know buy short trips, distances. affiliated encourage travel. unlikely available normally portion operations thereby obtain benefit attempted chance effects States; contrary, increases chance, so. 65 To sure, advance anticipated, populous WorldWide, seven distributors entire Brief 2, scarcely surprised learn Interstate 44, heavily traveled transcontinental highway. probability contiguous virtual certainty. knowledge alert businessman defect manifest State—not unpredictable, aberrant, buyer, normal operation vehicles purpose. misleading characterize favor 'foreseeability' alone." entities knowingly receiving ability intentionally network, pecuniary gain. "had expect a[n Oklahoma] court." 2586; ante, 1699-1700, 67 apparently acknowledges everyone distribution. 297-298. agree. lacking enters channels consumer. played expansion 2579; Hess Pawloski, 274 352, 632, 71 1091 (1927). Unlike chattels, takes precisely traveling another. highly artificial restrict "stream commerce" ultimate 68 sympathize majority's persons able forums. possible. Some foreclose option avoid subjecting oneself multiple say everywhere; multistate fairly called resulting lawsuit activity, reliance misplaced. modify child custody obligations. gave permission arose "not commerce, personal, domestic 97, 1699 supplied), contrasting Kulko's undertaken benefit.* Manifestly, "quality nature" different, purposes test, obtains advantage. Commercial likely larger sphere, felt. profits pay knowing insure effects, sparing Of judicially balancing policies. 292; Savchuk, found considering policies stake, requiring bounds 72 BLACKMUN, 73 confess somewhat puzzled insistent here, handled ill-fated defendants. appear importer, subjectability challenged judgment-proof. may, ultimately contest companies begun, easily termination. observation, pursue further. me, factor disposition instrumentality consideration. nation wheels. What concerned peripatetic character. One examine highways, appearance them, variety license plates highways metropolitan area, realize wander licensure sale. Miles per gallon (as city) mileage tankful familiar allegations manufacturers' today. vicinity sale—like 1914 electric proverbial "little old lady"—is blink distance therefore me unreasonable—and certainly unconstitutional laid down progeny—to uphold importer. All spread assessing different resale declares 297-299. 76 BRENNAN points dissent, 307, 585, distributor. provide safe roads. Its police investigate accidents. regulates driving aid victim thereby, hoped, lessens damages. Accident reports available. contributes engaged professionally lawsuits 77 My position now professional distributing retailing Cases concerning instrumentalities dealt arise contexts. affirm reverses judgment, parsing myriad motor situations themselves. not. "contact" sees fit perceive driver figure behalf. children father next friend. unlike review here. Both pending papers claimed lacked "venue matter," 9, 11. rulings unreported, 20. Five judges opinion. Two concurred result, without dissented part, subsection provides: "A person, agent, relief arising person's tortious omission solicits persistent conduct, rendered, 1701.03(a)(3), authorizes person "causing state." Something infliction required. Fields 555 (Okla.1976); Carmack Chemical Bank 536 897 (Okla.1975); Hines Clendenning, 465 460 (Okla.1970). Tilley Keller Truck Implement Kan. 641, 438 128 (1968); Granite 177 Colo. 42, 492 624 (1972); Pellegrini Sachs 522 704 (Utah 1974); Oliver Motors Wash.2d 875, 425 647 (1967). argue, threshold waived objections (1) joining appearances challenge subject-matter 4, (2) depositions merits characterized "special," finding waived, questions. 5, Respondents' counsel, 19-22, 29, something uniquely mobile, Tyson Whitaker Son, 407 1, 6, (Me.1979) (McKusick, C. J.), crucial fiction consent, e. g., (1927), "dangerous instrumentality." regime difference instrumentality" jurisdiction; extent relevance today bears desirability imposing tort strict liability. noted, centers. 289. courtroom line often corner themselves, free extend embrace permit asserted pursuant Minn.Stat. 571.41, subd. garnishment obligation indemnify insured. 322-323, 574, accompanying text. limit. embodies Seider Roth, N.Y.2d 111, 269 N.Y.S.2d 99, 216 312 (1966). cry saying "substituted action." forum's readings progeny. shift focus, litigation." Instead connections inquiry, necessarily, Thus inevitable inconvenienced. problem existing unsuspecting, virtually disappeared age 329, 578. undisputed clauses assessed, up relieve himself, contract. sense, 207, Were noneconomic suggested note 20, 579, On derived support. contact, exact count undermine certainty destroy dealer's business. According expand except afford companies. did, stand customers. argue analysis, excludes example, expecting Jersey. cited (1961), Statistics help illustrate amazing passenger-miles flown international flights nearly three orders magnitude 1945 (450 million) 1976 (179 billion). Department Commerce, Historical pt. Page 770 (1975); Statistical Abstract 670 Automobile vehicle-miles (including passenger cars, buses, trucks) relatively modest 500% during period, 250 billion 1,409 Statistics, 718; Abstract, 647. indicated greatly (if required) suing enforce procured 210-211, nn. 36, 2582-2583, 37. resemble commonly determining apply 225, 2590 258, (1958) 19, infra. Such uncertain answers written 'in black white. greys dominant shades innumerable.' Estin Estin, 334 541, 545, 1213, 1216, 92 1561 (1948)." new. claimants closing trust, stated: "[T]he trusts grace administered supervision rooted custom claimants, nonresident, procedure accords heard." 656, reasoning begs question. until declared is. choice unfavorable justly assumed 15, liability, result. Frequently, influence doctrines, venue non conveniens, transfer 8, 2592, Similarly, (1958), influenced traditionally peculiarly activity.

Classification Label: 3