gator.com Corp. v. L.L. Bean, Inc.

This case presents the issue of whether the District Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant-Appellee L.L. Bean, Inc. (“L.L. Bean”), either because L.L. Bean’s contacts with California as a result of its sales and other activities in California are “substantial” or “continuous and systematic,” or because L.L. Bean sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Plaintiff, Gator.com Corp. (“Gator”), at its office in California. In response to L.L. Bean’s motion for dismissal, the District Court determined that it did not have in personam jurisdiction. Because we determine that L.L. Bean’s contacts with California, in particular its substantial mail-order and internet-based commerce in the state, are sufficient to support the assertion of general personal jurisdiction, we reverse the District Court’s decision and remand for further proceedings.

I.

A. Factual Background

Defendanf/Appellee L.L. Bean is a Maine corporation with its principal place of business in that state. Its corporate offices, distribution facilities, and manufacturing facilities are all located in Maine. L.L. Bean sells clothing and outdoor equipment and maintains stores in Maine, Delaware, New Hampshire,…