Ninth Circuit rules Perplexity’s AI assistant does not violate federal or state computer access laws on Amazon’s platform.
A US appeals court overturned a preliminary injunction that had blocked Perplexity AI from using its AI-powered shopping tools on Amazon. The ruling hinges on the court’s finding that Perplexity’s Comet browser does not directly access Amazon’s systems but operates under user instructions.
The Ninth Circuit panel determined Amazon was unlikely to succeed in claims under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act or California’s data access law. Judges noted the AI assistant functions as a user tool, not an independent system breach, and that an injunction would stifle AI innovation.
The decision removes a legal barrier for Perplexity, allowing its AI-driven shopping features to resume on Amazon’s marketplace. The court also weighed public interest and equities, favoring Perplexity’s position.