Legal Question in Technology Law in Wisconsin

Personal jurisdiction and the internet

We booked a vacation over the internet, mailed a deposit to a Texas location and upon departure were charged $300.00 more than the agreed upon price. Since the internet company accepted our money, coordinated our arrangements and acted as a liason between the destination and ourselves, would Wisconsin jurisdiction apply so we could sue in small claims court? Thank you


Asked on 1/29/02, 10:38 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Anthony DeWitt Bartimus, Frickleton Robertson & Gorny, PC

Re: Personal jurisdiction and the internet

It depends a lot on the rules of Small Claims Court in your jurisdiction. I have not researched the rules, and the person who can answer that question is the clerk of your local small claims court. However, you can help yourself by going to the Secretary of State of your state and finding out if the Internet company is "registered to do business" in Wisconsin. If they are, then they can be served in Wisconsin by serving the Secretary of State. If they are not, then they can probably be served by mail.

But find out first if the Small Claims Court has jursidiction, and if not, remember that you can bring your small claims case in Texas.

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Answered on 1/29/02, 10:42 am


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