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The agreement specifies that any legal claim relating to the Ford website is governed by Michigan state law, without application of conflict of law principles that might otherwise direct the dispute to another jurisdiction's law.
This analysis describes what Ford'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 provision establishes Michigan law as the governing framework for any dispute arising from use of the Ford website, which may affect which consumer protection rights and legal standards apply to users located in other states or countries. The exclusion of conflict of law provisions means Michigan law applies regardless of where the user is located.
Interpretive note: The enforceability of this choice-of-law provision may be limited in EU member states and certain US jurisdictions where mandatory consumer protection law cannot be waived by contract.
The updated Terms no longer disclose how Ford collects customer reviews, manages the third-party vendor (MaritzCX) responsible for survey administration, or applies moderation standards to published feedback. Previously, the Terms explained that reviews are moderated to remove profanity, fraud, personal identifying information, competitor references, dangerous behavior, and inadequate text. Users can no longer see these operational details or understand what standards govern how their submitted reviews are processed and displayed.
View change record →Under this clause, the agreement states that legal claims related to the Ford website will be adjudicated under Michigan law, which may differ from the law of the user's home state or country. Users located in jurisdictions with stronger consumer protections should note that this clause asserts Michigan law governs, though applicable law in their jurisdiction may not permit full enforcement of this choice-of-law provision.
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"Any claim relating to Ford Motor Company's web site shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan without regard to its conflict of law provisions.Excerpt from Ford's Terms and Conditions
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Choice-of-law clauses in consumer contracts engage state consumer protection statutes and, in international contexts, EU consumer protection directives which generally require that consumers in EU member states not be deprived of protections afforded by the law of their home country. The FTC and State Attorneys General are the primary domestic enforcement authorities for consumer contract fairness. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Low to Medium. Governing law clauses are standard in website terms. However, EU member state courts and some US state courts may decline to enforce choice-of-law provisions that deprive consumers of mandatory protections under their home jurisdiction's law. JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU users retain protections under their home member state's law regardless of a contractual choice-of-law provision under EU consumer protection directives. California and other US states with mandatory consumer protections may similarly limit the enforceability of this clause against their residents. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Organizations entering into any contractual relationship mediated through the Ford website should assess whether Michigan law is an acceptable governing framework for dispute resolution and whether additional contractual protections are required. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams with EU, UK, or California user bases should assess whether this governing law clause is enforceable against users in those jurisdictions, and whether local mandatory consumer protection law would supersede it in practice.
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This provision establishes Michigan law as the governing framework for any dispute arising from use of the Ford website, which may affect which consumer protection rights and legal standards apply to users located in other states or countries. The exclusion of conflict of law provisions means Michigan law applies regardless of where the user is located.
Under this clause, the agreement states that legal claims related to the Ford website will be adjudicated under Michigan law, which may differ from the law of the user's home state or country. Users located in jurisdictions with stronger consumer protections should note that this clause asserts Michigan law governs, though applicable law in their jurisdiction may not permit full …
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