article_snippet: A French court has ruled that that A French court has jurisdiction to judge a case against Facebook, after the U.S.-based social network blocked a man's account for posting a painting of a woman's genitals.
article_snippet: a man sued Facebook that year, but lawyers representing the social network has argued that it does not fall under French jurisdiction.
article_snippet: The Paris court has ruled that that The Paris court does have jurisdiction to judge a case against Facebook, despite the U.S.-based social network arguing The Paris court has to be done in California . '
article_snippet: Earlier this year, Facebook's lawyer Caroline Lyannaz argued that the site did not fall under French jurisdiction as users have to sign a clause agreeing that only a California court can rule in disputes relating to the firm.
article_snippet: However, a Paris court ruled yesterday that Facebook's clause forcing all users to agree that any litigation must be based in the U.S. state, where the site is based, was 'abusive'.
article_snippet: This decision will create jurisprudence for other social media and other Internet giants who use their being headquartered abroad, mainly in the United States, to attempt to evade French law.'
article_snippet: Facebook's lawyer Caroline Lyannaz said this was an 'abusive clause' as none of the 22 million Facebook users in France 'can ever take recourse to French legal jurisdiction in the event of a dispute.'
article_snippet: a Paris court will hear the case on May 21.
highlights_snippet: Paris court says forcing users to only sue in California is 'abusive' 