US Court Protects Company from Foreign Lawsuits

美國法院保護公司免於外國起訴

Jun 23, 2026, 14:46
ChinaPolitics

Introduction

The US Supreme Court made a decision about Cisco Systems. Now, it is harder for people to sue companies in the US for things that happen in other countries.

美國最高法院對 Cisco Systems 作出了決定。現在，人們很難因為在其他國家發生的事情而在美國起訴公司。

Main Body

Some people from the Falun Gong group sued Cisco. They said Cisco helped the Chinese government find and hurt them. They said Cisco made a system to watch people.

一些法輪功團體的人起訴了 Cisco。他們稱 Cisco 幫助中國政府找到並傷害他們。他們表示 Cisco 建立了一套監控系統來監視人們。

The Court looked at an old law from 1789. The judges said only Congress can make new rules for these cases. The judges did not want to make new rules themselves.

法院查看了 1789 年的一部舊法律。法官表示只有國會才能為此類案件制定新規則。法官們不想自行制定新規則。

One judge, Sonia Sotomayor, disagreed. She said this is bad for people who are hurt in other countries. She thinks victims need a way to get help.

其中一名法官 Sonia Sotomayor 不同意。她表示這對在其他國家受傷害的人來說是不利的。她認為受害者需要有獲得幫助的途徑。

Conclusion

The case against Cisco is over. Now, foreign victims cannot easily use US courts to fight companies.

針對 Cisco 的案件已經結束。現在，外國受害者無法輕易利用美國法院來對抗公司。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The Power of "CAN" and "CANNOT"

In this story, the word can changes everything. It tells us if something is possible or allowed.

How it works:

  • Can →\rightarrow Yes, it is possible.
  • Cannot →\rightarrow No, it is impossible.

Examples from the text:

  • "Only Congress can make new rules." (Congress has the power →\rightarrow Yes)
  • "Foreign victims cannot easily use US courts." (They don't have the power →\rightarrow No)

Quick Rule for A2: You don't need to change the word for different people. It stays the same!

  • I can ✓\checkmark
  • He can ✓\checkmark
  • They can ✓\checkmark
  • We cannot ✓\checkmark

Vocabulary Learning

decision (n.)
A choice that you make after thinking about it
Example:The judge made a quick decision about the case.
sue (v.)
To take a person or company to court to get money
Example:He decided to sue the company because of the accident.
system (n.)
A set of things or ideas that work together
Example:The school uses a new computer system for grades.
disagreed (v.)
To have a different opinion from someone else
Example:My friend disagreed with me about the best movie.
victims (n.)
People who are hurt by a crime or an accident
Example:The organization helps victims of the war.
foreign (adj.)
From a country that is not your own
Example:I love learning foreign languages like Spanish.
Practice A2 words in a crossword→