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The agreement designates Illinois law as the governing law and Cook County, Illinois courts as the exclusive venue for any disputes not resolved through arbitration.
This analysis describes what Reverb'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 that contract interpretation and non-arbitrated disputes are governed by Illinois law and adjudicated in Cook County courts, which may create jurisdictional barriers for non-Illinois users, particularly those outside the United States. EU and UK users may not be bound by this choice-of-law clause to the extent that mandatory local consumer protection law applies.
Interpretive note: Enforceability of the Illinois governing law and forum selection clause against non-US consumers, particularly EU and UK users, depends on applicable mandatory consumer protection law in those jurisdictions.
Under this clause, disputes not subject to arbitration are governed by Illinois law and must be brought in Cook County courts, which may create practical and financial barriers for users located outside Illinois or outside the United States. Applicable law in the user's home jurisdiction may limit the enforceability of this forum selection clause for consumer claims.
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"These Terms will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. You and Reverb agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located within Cook County, Illinois for any disputes not subject to arbitration.Excerpt from Reverb's Terms of Service
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Choice-of-law and forum selection clauses in consumer contracts are subject to limitation by mandatory consumer protection law in the user's jurisdiction. EU Regulation Rome I Article 6 provides that choice-of-law clauses in consumer contracts cannot deprive consumers of protections afforded by mandatory rules of their country of habitual residence. UK courts apply similar principles under retained EU law and domestic consumer protection statutes. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The Illinois governing law and Cook County venue selection creates a practical barrier to litigation for non-Illinois users, particularly international users, though this is a standard provision in US-headquartered platform agreements. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU/EEA consumers retain the right to bring claims under the mandatory consumer protection law of their home jurisdiction regardless of this clause, under Rome I and Brussels I Regulation (recast). UK consumers retain similar protections under UK private international law. Canadian users may face similar jurisdictional limitations depending on applicable provincial consumer protection law. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Business partners and API developers contracting with Reverb should review whether the Illinois governing law is acceptable for their commercial arrangements and whether separate B2B agreements with different governing law provisions are available. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams advising EU, UK, or other international users should assess whether the governing law clause is enforceable in their jurisdiction and whether mandatory local consumer protection rights apply independently of the ToS terms.
This provision establishes that contract interpretation and non-arbitrated disputes are governed by Illinois law and adjudicated in Cook County courts, which may create jurisdictional barriers for non-Illinois users, particularly those outside the United States. EU and UK users may not be bound by this choice-of-law clause to the extent that mandatory local consumer protection law applies.
Under this clause, disputes not subject to arbitration are governed by Illinois law and must be brought in Cook County courts, which may create practical and financial barriers for users located outside Illinois or outside the United States. Applicable law in the user's home jurisdiction may limit the enforceability of this forum selection clause for consumer claims.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Reverb.