In Dow Chemical Canada ULC v. Superior Court, 2011 WL 6382110 (Cal. App. 2d Dist. Dec. 21, 2011), the California Court of Appeal, Second District, held that “plac[ing] products into the stream of commerce in a foreign country (or another state), aware that some may or will be swept into the forum state[,]” is not, by itself, sufficient to support the forum state’s exercise of personal jurisdiction over the manufacturer of the products. The Court’s decision explores the limits of personal jurisdiction after the recent decision by the United States Supreme Court in J. McIntyre Machinery, Ltd. v. Nicastro, 131 S. Ct. 8780 (2011), and provides more certainty to foreign corporations regarding the likelihood of being forced to litigate in California courts.

In Dow Chemical, nine California residents were injured when a “Sea-Doo” watercraft exploded on the California side of Lake Havasu. A product liability action was subsequently brought against Dow Chemical Canada ULC (“Dow Canada”) based upon an alleged defect in the fuel tank. Dow Canada specially appeared in the California court to argue that it lacked the sufficient minimum contacts with California to support the exercise of personal jurisdiction.