Which of the following is NOT a recognized defense in products liability lawsuits?

The absence of product marketing is not recognized as a valid defense in products liability lawsuits because the focus of these lawsuits is primarily on the safety and effectiveness of the product itself, rather than how the product was marketed. In a products liability case, a plaintiff typically claims that a product is defective or dangerous, leading to injury or damage. The defenses that are acknowledged by law often hinge on the characteristics of the product and the actions of the manufacturer or seller, rather than on the marketing strategies or lack thereof.

The recognized defenses, such as the state-of-the-art defense and the compliance with product specifications defense, relate directly to the manufacturer's adherence to industry standards and the current technological capabilities at the time the product was designed or manufactured. The plaintiff’s knowledge defense considers whether the plaintiff was aware of the inherent risks associated with the product. Thus, these defenses are grounded in the legal principles surrounding safety and due diligence in product design and manufacturing, making the absence of marketing irrelevant in establishing liability.