JERRY WILKERSON, Appellant v. RSL FUNDING, L.L.C., Appellee, 388 S.W.3d 668

Summary

The resident argued the trial court erred in denying his special appearance and objection to jurisdiction. The appellate court noted that for purposes of analyzing personal jurisdiction over an individual in a case arising from his internet activity, the appellate court applied the constitutional standard of purposeful availment. The company presented no evidence about how the resident posted his comments in a way directed at Texas. The evidence did not support the company's factual allegation, factually refuted by the resident, that the resident deliberately used a website oriented towards, aiming at, or otherwise specifically targeting Texas. Jurisdiction could not be exercised over a nonresident user based on his use of a website based upon the mere evidence that the website incorporated Texas-related content of an unknown origin. Nothing in the record showed that the resident sought any benefit, advantage, or profit by availing himself in Texas, as was required for personal ...