“‘Equalizing’ the Playing Field with Foreign Manufacturers”

In litigation, manufacturers and suppliers in the United States are often at a disadvantage compared to their foreign counterparts.  There are several obstacles to suing foreign companies or bringing them into a lawsuit as a codefendant. These obstacles include the challenge of obtaining jurisdiction over the foreign entity and making sufficient “service of process” on that entity. The Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2009 (S. 1606), currently before the Senate Finance Committee, is designed to “equalize” the playing field and make it easier to sue foreign manufacturers or join them in current litigation.  This article, published in Industry Week, explores that legislation.  You can read the full article by clicking here.