This provision specifies that Washington State and applicable federal law govern the Conditions of Use and all disputes between users and Amazon, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
This analysis describes what Amazon's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This clause selects Washington State as the governing jurisdiction for all disputes and contract interpretation, which may limit users in other states from invoking home-state consumer protection statutes in contract disputes with Amazon.
Interpretive note: Enforceability of the Washington State choice of law against users in states with mandatory consumer protection statutes depends on applicable conflict of laws analysis and specific statutory language in the user's home state.
Removed explicit reference to Federal Arbitration Act from governing law clause.
View full change record →Under this clause, disputes arising from Amazon services are governed by Washington State and applicable federal law regardless of the user's location, which may affect which consumer protection statutes apply to a given claim.
How other platforms handle this
These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, excluding its conflicts of law rules, and the federal laws of the United States. Any dispute arising from or relating to the subject matter of these Terms shall be finally settled by arbitration in San Francisco County, California...
These Terms of Service and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice o...
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provisions. Any disputes not subject to arbitration will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
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"By using any Amazon Service, you agree that applicable federal law, and the laws of the state of Washington, without regard to principles of conflict of laws, will govern these Conditions of Use and any dispute of any sort that might arise between you and Amazon.— Excerpt from Amazon's Amazon Conditions of Use
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Choice of law clauses are generally enforceable under U.S. contract law but may be overridden by mandatory consumer protection statutes in the user's home state where those statutes apply regardless of contractual choice. California's CLRA and similar statutes in other states may apply to California residents regardless of this Washington law selection. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The governing law selection channels interpretation of contract disputes to Washington State courts and law, which may be favorable or unfavorable depending on the nature of the claim. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: California, New Jersey, and other states with mandatory consumer protection statutes create potential tension with this clause. EU and UK users are generally entitled to the protection of their home jurisdiction's mandatory consumer law regardless of contractual choice of law under applicable private international law rules. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Marketplace sellers and developers contracting with Amazon should assess whether their seller agreements independently specify governing law or incorporate this general consumer-facing choice of law provision. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams advising clients in jurisdictions with mandatory consumer protection statutes should evaluate whether those statutes override the Washington law selection for specific categories of claims.
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This clause selects Washington State as the governing jurisdiction for all disputes and contract interpretation, which may limit users in other states from invoking home-state consumer protection statutes in contract disputes with Amazon.
Under this clause, disputes arising from Amazon services are governed by Washington State and applicable federal law regardless of the user's location, which may affect which consumer protection statutes apply to a given claim.
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