Who’s responsible for what you buy on Amazon? The court is to decide
Federal judges will determine if Amazon holds responsibility for damages caused by goods sold on Amazon Marketplace.
According to CNN, the U.S. Third Court of Appeals in Philadelphia is hearing the case “Oberdorf v. Amazon.” The case was originally brought by Heather Oberdorf, who was blinded in one eye in 2015 as a result of a faulty dog collar purchased from third-party seller “The Furry Gang” on Amazon, reports ChainStoreAge.com. Neither Oberdorf nor Amazon has been able to locate The Furry Gang.
In 2019, a lower court determined that under Pennsylvania law, Amazon could be legally considered the seller of the faulty product and held liable for any damages it caused. Amazon is appealing the case, saying it provides a marketplace for third-party sellers but does not act as the seller for third-party transactions. Amazon states this policy in its conditions of use for Amazon Marketplace.
If the Full Appeals court rules against Amazon, it could have a significant effect. A substantial shift in case law holding Amazon liable for third party sales would change the way the marketplace operates. As a result, Amazon would respond by demanding more stringent vetting measures for third-party sellers and their products.
More Amazon news
Amazon is testing a new “Top Brand” badge
What does Amazon’s “Top Brand” badge actually mean? Amazon is testing a new signifier, called “Top Brand”. But no one seems to know what, exactly, a “Top Brand” is, and Amazon won’t say. According to Business Insider, companies do not pay to receive the...
Amazon Uses a Twitter Army of Employees to Fight Criticism
Amazon 'ambassadors' defend working conditions at warehouses A group of Amazon employees known as “FC ambassadors” began tweeting again about how great it is to work at Amazon. When the ambassadors see others on social media discussing the brutal working...
US Senators want to know how the “Amazon’s Choice” badge works
Senators ask Jeff Bezos to explain how Amazon recommends products Two high-profile Senate Democrats are asking Amazon for answers about its “Amazon’s Choice” badge, as it could be deceiving consumers into buying “inferior” products. In a letter to Amazon...
