What is the difference between a manufacturer’s warranty and product liability law?
Manufacturer’s warranties and product liability law both provide a degree of protection to consumers when a product does not perform as expected. However, they are quite different in what they cover and how they are enforced. A manufacturer’s warranty is a promise, either written or implied, made by the manufacturer when they sell a product to the consumer. The warranty outlines what kind of performance is expected from the product and may include repair or replacement services if a product fails to meet its stated standards. Warranties are enforced through the manufacturer and are usually limited in terms of their duration, scope and liability. Product liability law is a legal concept that holds the manufacturer, distributors, and retailers responsible for a product’s performance to the consumer. It always covers any type of product that is used as intended and provides a much greater scope of protection than a manufacturer’s warranty. California product liability law is meant to protect against manufacturing defects, design defects, and failure to provide adequate warning or instructions about product use. In short, a manufacturer’s warranty is a promise made by the manufacturer to the consumer, while product liability law is a legal concept designed to protect consumers from defective products.
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