California to Force Online Marketplaces to Set Dispute Rules

Oct. 9, 2019, 1:28 PM UTC

Amazon.com Inc., eBay Inc., and other online marketplace platforms must set clear rules for resolving disputes with people or companies that sell products on their websites, under a new California law.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature on A.B. 1790 Oct. 8 enacts the first law of its kind in the country. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, marketplaces must provide clear terms and conditions that are easily accessible to sellers, including reasons a marketplace could hold a seller’s funds while resolving a dispute.

The marketplaces also must explain in writing why they would suspend or terminate a seller’s account, and explain how sellers could appeal terminations or suspensions.

Marketplaces that allow sellers to pay a fee to boost their rankings on the platform must describe their terms for doing so.

The rules marketplaces must set will apply to sellers in California, according to Wicks’ office.


To contact the reporter on this story: Laura Mahoney in Sacramento, Calif. at lmahoney@bloomberglaw.com

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Rebecca Baker at rbaker@bloomberglaw.com; Keith Perine at kperine@bloomberglaw.com

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