After convincing an International Trade Commission judge to disqualify Dentons from representing its opponent in a patent infringement case, Gap Inc. has agreed to a settlement. But even with Gap out of the case, the fight could offer lessons for other large firms, such as Dentons, that rely on the Swiss verein structure to link their offices across the globe.
Back in May, ITC administrative law judge Charles Bullock agreed to disqualify Dentons from representing Revolaze LLC, which had sued Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and several other denim retailers for allegedly infringing a Revolaze patent related to producing blue jeans. The judge concluded that Dentons and a predecessor firm, Salans, had long represented Gap, including in a recent customs audit in Canada—a relationship that made its ITC work for Revolaze a conflict of interest.
