In what situation would a business face personal jurisdiction in a foreign state?

A business faces personal jurisdiction in a foreign state primarily when it establishes a physical presence in that state. This can include having a brick-and-mortar location, employees, or even significant equipment in the jurisdiction. The rationale behind this principle is that a physical presence creates sufficient contacts with the state, ensuring that the business is subject to the laws and jurisdiction of that state. The local forum has a vested interest in regulating entities that are physically operating within its territory, which promotes fairness and accountability.

While the other options might suggest potential for jurisdictional issues, they typically do not meet the traditional threshold established by courts. For instance, merely contracting with a foreign entity may not alone justify personal jurisdiction unless the contract creates sufficient connections to the state. Similarly, exceeding sales thresholds or engaging in online advertising may not establish a physical presence but rather can create minimal contacts, which might lead to jurisdiction depending on the nature and extent of the business's activities, but are not as definitive as having a physical presence.