Court Allows for Jurisdiction in Pennsylvania Over Connecticut-Based Company Based, in part, On Website Activity

In the case of D&S Auto Sales v. Commercial Sales & Marketing, No. 19-CV-7494 (C.P. Lacka. Co. Feb. 19, 2021 Nealon, J.), the court ruled that a Connecticut-based auto dealership can be sued in Pennsylvania because its website specifically targeted consumers from Pennsylvania and actively pursued their business.

After reviewing the record before him, Judge Terrence R. Nealon of the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas found that enough buyer-seller activity occurred on the Defendant’s interactive website to establish general jurisdiction to allow the case to move forward in Pennsylvania.

In his decision, Judge Nealon noted that a number of activities occurred over the interactive website as opposed to visitors to the site just gathering information, including customers scheduling vehicle maintenance, requesting parts to be ordered, checking availability of vehicles, and inquiring about pricing.

The Court found that this level of interaction activity sufficient to form a basis for general jurisdiction over the Defendant.


Anyone wishing to review a copy of this decision may click this LINK.