Any legal dispute with AWS must be resolved under Washington State law in courts located in King County, Washington, regardless of where you are based in the world.
This analysis describes what AWS'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
Customers outside Washington State, including international customers, are contractually required to litigate disputes in Washington, which creates significant practical and financial barriers to pursuing legal claims against AWS.
Interpretive note: Enforceability of the exclusive Washington jurisdiction clause against EU, UK, and consumer customers may be limited by mandatory local law provisions that cannot be waived by contract.
If you have a legal dispute with AWS, you are bound to pursue it in Washington State courts under Washington law, even if you are located elsewhere in the US or internationally. This effectively raises the cost and complexity of any legal action against AWS for most customers.
How other platforms handle this
In the EU and EEA, the choice of Texas governing law shall not apply only where a mandatory consumer protection law explicitly prohibits such choice of law provisions.
For any claims that are not subject to arbitration...U.S. Residents: Delaware law; venue exclusively in the state or federal courts in New Castle County, Delaware
If you reside in the EEA, you can also raise the dispute with an alternative dispute resolution body via the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Platform...
"The laws of the State of Washington, without reference to conflict of law rules, govern this Agreement and any dispute of any sort that might arise between you and us. Any dispute relating in any way to your use of the Service Offerings or to products or services sold or distributed by AWS or through AWS.com will be adjudicated in the state or federal courts in King County, Washington, and you consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue in these courts.Excerpt from AWS's Customer Agreement
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Exclusive jurisdiction clauses in business-to-business agreements are generally enforceable in US courts, though consumer protection statutes in certain states may override exclusive jurisdiction provisions for consumer disputes.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
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Customers outside Washington State, including international customers, are contractually required to litigate disputes in Washington, which creates significant practical and financial barriers to pursuing legal claims against AWS.
If you have a legal dispute with AWS, you are bound to pursue it in Washington State courts under Washington law, even if you are located elsewhere in the US or internationally. This effectively raises the cost and complexity of any legal action against AWS for most customers.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 267 platforms. See the full comparison.
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