Amazon ‘Seller’ Issue May Get Punted to Pennsylvania High Court

Amazon.com Inc.'s potential status as a “seller” subject to product liability claims for web marketplace sales under Pennsylvania law may be best suited for the state’s top court, Third Circuit judges suggested at oral argument in a closely watched injury case.

Several reasons, including a bill pending in the state legislature, support giving the state top court at least the option of deciding the issue, members of the en banc panel said.

“This one is factually outside” previous state cases addressing the seller-liability issue, one judge said. “We say it’s like an auctioneer or truck lessor, but Amazon’s really ...