Ironworks Patents LLC v. Apple Inc.
Filing
447
MEMORANDUM ORDER Apples motion for discovery #310 from MMI and Nokia is DENIED. Signed by Judge Mary Pat Thynge on 9/10/2012. (cak)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
MOBILEMEDIA IDEAS LLC,
Plaintiff,
v.
APPLE INC.,
Defendant.
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C. A. No. 10-258-SLR/MPT
MEMORANDUM ORDER
Procedural Background
Presently before the court are discovery issues arising not only between the
parties, but also involving a third-party. Consistent with the court’s standard order
dealing with discovery matters, the parties and Nokia Corporation (“Nokia”) contacted
the court to schedule a telephonic conference. Thereafter, Apple, Inc. (“Apple”), the
moving party, filed its speaking motion against MobileMedia Ideas LLC (“MMI”) and
Nokia. MMI and Nokia timely filed their respective responses. A telephonic hearing
occurred on June 7, 2012 during which all parties to the disputes presented argument.
Certain issues were decided during the teleconference. Regarding the remaining
matters, the parties supplemented their previous submissions and provided documents
and affidavits addressing the common interest privilege.1
1
During the teleconference, the parties advised some of the documents under
seal were exhibits to an unrelated motion before Judge Robinson. Other documents
evidencing the common interest privilege had not been previously produced. Those
documents were provided for in camera review. In any event, any documents filed
MMI and Nokia provided their supplemental submissions on June 15, 2012.
Apple provided its response on June 22, 2012. This is the court’s decision regarding
privilege under the common interest privilege and related issues.
During discovery, Apple served subpoenas on three separate Nokia entities:
Nokia Inc. on February 9, 2011, Nokia Capital, Inc. on June 1, 2011, and Nokia, the
entity involved in the present discovery dispute, on June 29, 2011.2 Each Nokia entity
timely responded to the subpoena raising objections based on various privileges,
including the common interest privilege. Specifically, Nokia initially objected in July
2011 and provided additional objections based on attorney-client privilege on August 23,
2011. Fact discovery closed on October 31, 2011.3 Expert discovery was to be
completed by March 23, 2012. At the time of the discovery teleconference, claim
construction and dispositive motion briefing was near completion.
Factual Background
MMI, a Delaware limited liability company, was formed by Nokia, Sony
Corporation (“Sony”) and another company, MPEG-LA (“MPEG”) in January 2010.
Before MMI’s formation, in the beginning of 2009, Sony and Nokia discussed the
formation of, and the potential patents to be transferred to an entity that would license
and enforce those patents, including through litigation if necessary.4 After an
under seal remain under seal for the purpose of the discovery issues addressed herein.
2
Nokia represented each subpoena contained eighty-one document requests
and approximately ten to fifteen deposition topics. See D.I. 338 at 1.
3
Fact discovery originally was to close by September 1, 2011. By stipulation
between the parties, it was extended to October 31, 2011, allowing for certain
depositions to occur after the close of fact discovery, but before the deadline to depose
any trial witnesses. See D.I. 17 & 135.
4
See D.I. 353 at ¶ 4; D.I. 354 at ¶ 4.
2
exploratory phase, in April 2009, Nokia and Sony executed a non-disclosure agreement
to enable the sharing of confidential and privileged information.5 Subsequently, MPEG
became an additional participant.6 Previously, Sony and MPEG had entered into a nondisclosure agreement. MPEG also executed a non-disclosure agreement with Nokia.7
Nokia, Sony and MPEG further determined and agreed in April 2009, they had a
common legal interest in venture formation issues which they memorialized in an
agreement in October 2009.8
Sony and Nokia, as the patent holders and licensors, each retained counsel who
provided legal analyses concerning patent infringement and validity and license contract
interpretation. Through their counsel and counsel for MPEG, the analyses were shared
to assess the legal merits of the patents under consideration to be contributed to the
proposed legal enforcement entity, MMI. The exchange of information was made
among Nokia, Sony and MPEG-LA in reliance on the non-disclosure agreements and
on the assumption they shared a common legal interest.9 In their discussions, these
parties shared information regarding legal aspects of litigation strategy, as well as other
legal information relating to venture formation, tax issues, competition law and licensing
opportunities. Because they planned to form an entity to acquire, develop, administer,
manage and possibly assert intellectual property, these entities also shared legal advice
and analysis in that regard.10 Accordingly, such information was only shared with the
5
See D.I. 353 at ¶ 5; D.I. 354 at ¶ 5.
See D.I. 353 at ¶ 6; D.I. 354 at ¶ 6.
7
Id.
8
See D.I. 353 at ¶ 7; D.I. 354 at ¶ 7.
9
D.I. 353 at ¶¶ 2, 8; D.I. 354 at ¶¶ 2,8.
10
D.I. 353 at ¶¶ 9-11; D.I. 354 at ¶¶ 9-11.
6
3
expectation the material would remain privileged and confidential.11
In forming MMI, Nokia, Sony and MPEG entered into various agreements
memorializing their respective rights and obligations. Those agreements included the
Formation Agreement, the Operating Agreement and two Patent Purchase Agreements
(between MMI and Nokia Capital and MMI and SCA IPLA).12 Through these
agreements Nokia Capital, Inc. (an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Nokia) and SCA
IPLA (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony) contributed intellectual property13 in
exchange for each receiving a 24.9% equity interest in MMI. MPEG, through its wholly
owned subsidiary, Tagivan, agreed to provide services to MMI pursuant to a service
agreement, to enforce the patents. In return, Tagivan’s interest in MMI is 50%. As a
result, MMI owns a portfolio of patents from Nokia Capital, Inc. and SCA IPLA Holdings
Inc. relating to mobile devices, such as cellular phones.14
According to the Formation Agreement and the Operating Agreement, the
essential purpose of MMI is
to acquire, develop, administer and manage Intellectual Property rights
relating to inventions which reflect certain features of, and application
used by, mobile and other devices and to collect income in respect to such
inventions reflected in such Intellectual property rights and its use in end
11
D.I. 353 at ¶ 12; D.I. 354 at ¶ 12.
D.I. 358, Ex. A-D. The date of the Formation Agreement, the Operating
Agreement and the two Patent Purchase Agreements is January 10, 2010. The
privileged materials presently sought were in possession of Nokia and Sony, parent
corporations of Nokia Capital and SCA IPLA, and were subsequently provided to Nokia
Capital and SCA IPLA. Apple does not contend this original transfer operated as a
waiver of privilege.
13
Prior to any transfer of intellection property to MMI, SCA IPLA obtained the
patents through assignments from Sony, while Nokia Capital acquired its patents from
Nokia.
14
See D.I. 358 at ¶ 2.
12
4
user devices.15
To enable the enforcement of the patent rights and for exploitation of the patents
and consistent with the previously noted Agreements, Nokia Capital and SCA IPLA
transferred the prosecution history files to MMI.16 According to MMI, no privileged
documents were exchanged or provided before the close of the transaction. Moreover,
these documents were not provided for “commercial purposes such as to evaluate the
value of the respective portfolios or induce a party to enter into the agreement.”17
Parties’ Positions
Apple
Although Apple originally argued the common legal interest privilege did
not apply, it now agrees “MMI and Nokia demonstrated that Sony and Nokia are not
mere separate investors or shareholders . . . [but instead] acted together to develop the
litigation strategy . . . implemented after MMI’s formation, and have continued to
cooperate after formation to further that legal strategy, and assert their patents through
MMI.”18 In light of the declarations by Nokia and MMI, Apple confirmed it “no longer
contests that Nokia shares a common legal interest with Sony before formation, or that
MMI shares a common legal interest with Sony and Nokia after formation in at least
some communications.”19 What Apple does dispute is whether Nokia and MMI have
15
D.I. 358, Ex. A at first Whereas clause; Ex. B. at first Whereas clause.
D.I. 356 at ¶ 6; D.I. 357 at ¶¶ 5, 7. See also D.I. 358, Exs. C & D at ¶ 4.1 (this
paragraph of each of the Patent Purchase Agreements provides for Nokia Capital and
SCA IPLA respectively to deliver to MMI the prosecution history files).
17
D.I. 355 at 1.
18
D.I. 370 at 1.
19
Id.
16
5
shown that the common interest privilege applied to each of the communications at
issue, that is, whether the purpose for sharing the documents was for furthering a joint
legal strategy. Relying on King Drug Co of Florence, Inc. v. Cephalon, Inc.,20 it reasons
that court’s analysis applies “where there is a joint legal strategy, but the
communications at issue were not ‘designed to further that effort.’”21
Therefore, Apple demands production of certain documents exchanged before
MMI’s formation, specifically materials that discuss Sony’s and Nokia’s patent coverage
to develop a “valuable cluster” of patents or confirming value to licensees which
purportedly have been improperly withheld.22 Apple does not seek those
communications created for the purpose of developing a joint legal strategy.
As to the documents sought, Apple maintains Nokia failed to demonstrate the
documents were exchanged to further a joint legal strategy. Specifically, Apple argues
Nokia has not established a document-by-document analysis that an underlying
20
2011 WL 2623306, at *4 (E.D. Pa. July 5, 2011).
Id.
22
Apple’s motion included a production request of Sony documents through MMI
under an Afros v. Krauss-Maffei, 113 F.R.D. 127 (D. Del. 1986) argument. Because
Apple advised during the teleconference that Sony and Apple were still conferring on
document production; Sony was absent from that discovery conference; and insufficient
evidence of control by MMI over the Sony documents, the court denied Apple’s request
during the hearing. That decision does not address whether Apple may obtain such
documents directly from Sony, by agreement or through court order.
The documents sought by Apple regarding patents selected to become part of
this patent cluster concerned descriptions by Nokia and Sony to each other regarding
patent coverage for their respective patents. See Trans. dated June 7, 2012
(erroneously dated May 12, 2012) (“Trans.”) at 11:4-13:3. See also D.I. 337, Ex. 4; D.I.
370.
Originally, Apple also sought drafts of the purchase agreements and formation
agreements which were denied based on relevance. See Trans. at 41:18-42:20.
21
6
privilege exists.23 It further argues Nokia failed to demonstrate the disclosures were
made only for “‘securing, advancing, or supplying legal representation.’”24 Apple
emphasizes the present record shows the communications were made for evaluating
the business value of the portfolio, “regardless of any legal strategy.”25
Apple maintains there was no delay on its part to obtain the documents sought
because until the privilege logs were produced in December,26 it was unaware of the
purportedly broad categories of documents for which Nokia was claiming privilege.
Thereafter, Apple began meeting and conferring with MMI, Nokia and Sony to
understand the bases for their claims of privilege.27
Apple requests Nokia produce all documents as previously noted herein. It also
seeks an order requiring Nokia to produce a log of all communications that include nonattorneys.
Regarding MMI, Apple disputes whether MMI has established the transfer of the
patent prosecution files and invention disclosure forms (“IDFs”) occurred to further a
joint legal strategy. It criticizes MMI’s evidence as only vaguely suggesting these
documents were provided to assist in its exploitation of the patents. Apple maintains
23
In this regard, Apple asserts additional concerns because the affidavits
mention “other employees,” assumed to be non-attorneys sharing in the
communications.
24
D.I. 370 at 3.
25
Id.
26
As noted previously, MMI maintains its privilege log was produced in
November 2011.
27
See D.I. 337 n.4 listing the dates when correspondence or conferences
occurred to address the present issues. The footnote indicates such discussions began
with MMI on December 15, 2011, while discussions with Nokia began on January 17,
2012.
7
these documents were delivered merely as part of the purported transfer of patents by
referencing sections in the patent purchase agreements which allow for disclosure of
other documents to assist in MMI’s enforcement of the transferred patents. Therefore,
Apple demands all patent prosecution files and IDFs be produced.
MMI/Nokia
Although MMI and Nokia provided separate submissions, their interests in the
present discovery matter are related.
Contrary to Apple’s arguments, Nokia contends Apple was aware of its position
as early as July 2011, when Nokia formally responded to the subpoena, specifically
objecting to the requested documents based on attorney-client privilege and the
common interest privilege.28 Nokia maintains it collected and produced relevant
documents, such as, agreements regarding any patent-in-suit invented by a Nokia
inventor and offered the inventors for deposition. Despite that five of the deposition
topics in Apple’s subpoena related to the formation of MMI and Nokia’s involvement with
MMI and its knowledge of Nokia’s objections, Apple never pursued any depositions of
Nokia personnel, nor moved to compel production of the documents until six months
after the cut-off date for fact discovery.29 Nokia further points out that after the
discovery cutoff date, it cooperated with Apple by providing additional information,
28
During the June 5 teleconference, Nokia cited its response to request 19 which
asked for all documents and things relating to its involvement in the formation of MMI.
Nokia’s objection claimed such documents were protected by attorney-client privilege,
work-product doctrine and the common interest privilege.
29
Nokia also contends that despite the deficiencies in Apple’s subpoena
(attempting to serve a Finnish company in Finland through a subpoena issued from this
court), it cooperated and produced numerous documents.
8
including communications between investors prior to when the common interest arose
and non-confidential communications after the common interest existed that were not
subject to privilege. It maintains, as a non-party, it should not be subject to further
discovery for Apple’s failure to raise its present arguments while discovery was opened.
Nokia also disputes whether the documents requested are relevant. It argues
Nokia’s patent coverage, which would include patents not at issue, is obviously
irrelevant.
MMI owns a portfolio of patents from Nokia and SCA IPLA as a result of several
agreements memorializing these entities respective rights and obligations. MMI
represents no privileged documents were exchanged before the transfer of ownership of
the patent portfolio. It further contends no documents were provided as part of this
process for commercial purposes, such as to evaluate the respective portfolios or
induce a party to enter into any agreement.30 As a result, only the post-closing
transferred files for use by MMI for enforcement of the patents are at issue. MMI claims
these documents are “‘files, documents and other materials that are in the possession
of the Prosecution Counsel, and relating to the prosecution, maintenance, filing,
issuance and/or [sic] of the Assigned Patents,’”31 and therefore, are inherently legal. At
the time of the agreements and the transfer of such information, both Nokia and SCA
IPLA anticipated litigation, and each obtained the legal right to distributions based on
royalties and damages through MMI’s successful enforcement of the patents.32 MMI
30
D.I. 356 at ¶ 6; D.I. 358 at ¶ 11.
D.I. 358, Exs. C & D.
32
D.I. 356 at ¶ 6; D.I. 357 at ¶ 5; D.I. 358, Ex. B § 8.2.
31
9
claims both Nokia and SCA IPLA made disclosures as part of their ongoing legal
obligations, and maintained reversionary ownership rights under certain circumstances,
evidencing their continued legal interest in the validity and enforceability of the
patents.33 As a result, MMI argues the documents at issue clearly are protected under
the common interest doctrine.
MMI further asserts what Apple demands, without reference to its privilege log or
any specific document, is an open ended request for production of all the patent
prosecution files and IDFs in contradiction of the facts supporting that the transfer and
disclosure to MMI of such information was consistent with the common interest doctrine.
MMI also claims Apple’s letter motion in June 2012 for such discovery, after fact
discovery closed on October 31, 2011, after the production of its privilege log in
November 2011, after completion of expert discovery, and while claim construction and
summary judgment briefing was ongoing, is untimely and too late.34
Standard and Applicable Law
Community of Interest or Common Interest Privilege
The community of interest privilege “allows attorneys representing different
clients with similar legal interests to share information without having to disclose it to
others.”35 The purpose is to protect communications between different individuals and
33
D.I. 356 at ¶¶ 8-10; D.I. 357 at ¶¶ 7-9; D.I. 358, Ex. A § 4.03.
Since this discovery matter was initially raised and briefed, claim construction
and summary judgment briefing has been completed and the Markman hearing and oral
argument occurred in late July 2012.
35
In re Teleglobe Communications Corp., 493 F.3d 345, 364 (3d Cir. 2007).
34
10
entities and their respective counsel when the communications are “‘part of an on-going
and joint effort to set up a common defense strategy.’”36 Thus, the members of the
community of interest “must share at least a substantially similar legal interest.”37 The
burden rests on the party asserting the privilege to establish its existence by showing
“‘(1) the communications were made in the course of a joint defense effort, (2) the
statements were designed to further the effort, and (3) the privilege has not been
waived.’”38 Moreover, to qualify for and to maintain the privilege, the communications
must be shared between counsel, and not just between the clients.39 Unlike the joint
client privilege where the same counsel represents more than one client, the legal
interests between or among the clients need not be identical, and the degree to which
the commonality of interests converge is relaxed.40 Further, the fact “there may be an
overlap of commercial and legal interests . . . does not negate the effect of the legal
interests in establishing a community of interest.”41 The standard is substantially similar
legal interest, that is not solely commercial.42 Thus, the privilege may apply although
the communications include discussions of various business matters as long as they are
“infused with legal concerns.”43 Actual litigation or a ongoing lawsuit is not required, as
36
In the Matter of Bevill, Bresler & Schulman Asset Mgmt. Corp., 805 F.2d 120,
126 (3d Cir. 1986), quoting Eisenberg v. Gagnon, 766 F.2d 770, 787 (3d Cir. 1985).
37
Teleglobe Communications, 493 F.3d at 365.
38
In the Matter of Bevill, 805 F.2d at 126, citing In re Grand Jury Subpoena
Duces Tecum dated November 16, 1974, 406 F. Supp. 381 (S.D.N.Y. 1975); see also
Grand Jury Empanelled February 14, 1978, 608 F.2d 469, 474 (3d. Cir. 1979).
39
Teleglobe Communications, 493 F.3d at 365.
40
Id.
41
Id.
42
Id.
43
SE. Pa. Transp. Auth. v. Caremarkpcs Health, L.P., 254 F.R.D. 253, 258 (E.D.
Pa. 2008).
11
long as it is anticipated.44
Discussion
Apple does not dispute the common interest doctrine applies. It, however,
maintains for the documents sought, neither MMI or Nokia have provide sufficient
evidence that they fall within the privilege. In sum, it seeks from Nokia “documents that
discuss Sony’s or Nokia’s patent coverage or the patents in depth for the purpose of
creating a ‘valuable cluster’ of patents or confirming ‘value’ to licensees” relying on
paragraphs 1 through 3 of exhibit 4 to its original submission, an email which
discusses a possible agenda for a meeting between Nokia and Sony during the initial
stages to determine the patents to transfer to MMI.45 It seeks from MMI, all patent
prosecution files and IDFs transferred based on the purported absence of proof that
this exchange was for the purpose of a joint legal strategy.
Transfer of Patent Prosecution Documents and IDFs to MMI
Apple’s argument that the transfer of the patent prosecution files and IDFs to
MMI were not to further a joint legal strategy is refuted by the Formation and Operating
Agreements which provide the central purpose of MMI was “to acquire, develop,
administer and manage [i]ntellectual [p]roperty rights” related to the inventions obtained
from the Nokia and Sony entities. For contributing certain intellectual property, those
entities received equity interests MMI and will receive distributions of any future
royalties and damages collected by MMI. As shareholders, they continue to have a
direct interest in MMI’s business. Pursuant to the Operating Agreement, the governing
44
45
Teleglobe Communications, 493 F.3d at 365.
See D.I. 337, Ex. 4.
12
Board of Representatives of MMI are comprised of seven individuals from the Sony,
Nokia and MPEG entities, and have all powers necessary to carry out the purposes and
business of MMI, that is, the enforcement of the patents. MMI cannot re-assign the
patents-in-suit without full Board approval, that is, the consent of the Nokia, Sony and
MPEG entities. In light of their Board seats, these corporations have essentially veto
power over such sales. Further, since the formation of MMI, Nokia, Sony and their
respective wholly owned subsidiaries have provided assistance and cooperation to
MMI’s outside attorneys, including details related to the prosecution history of the
patents-in-suit. Their obligation in this regard is evidenced in the Patent Purchase
Agreements under §§ 4.5-4.6 requiring them in any action involving infringement or
invalidity of the assigned patents to provide “reasonable access to [their inventor]
employees” for “[a] litigated patent” as well as relevant documents, including those
related to the “conception and reduction to practice.” They are further obligated to
“provide reasonable assistance by [their] personnel in connection with patent
prosecution or other necessary activities of [MMI].” Such language strongly indicates a
future cooperation with MMI in its core purpose, the successful enforcement of the
transferred patents. Such future cooperation, which may involve providing additional
materials, does not imply that the original transfer of the patent prosecution files and the
IDFs was merely to effectuate transfer of the patents.
Further, at the time the documents in question were provided to MMI, the Nokia
and Sony entities had reversionary rights allowing ownership of the patents to revert
13
back under certain conditions.46 Therefore, at the time of the transfer, the Nokia and
Sony entities had a direct continued legal interest in the validity and enforceability of the
patents.
The language, provisions and tenor of the Formation and Operating Agreements
and the two Purchase Agreements clearly indicate at the time of their execution, the
Nokia and Sony entities anticipated litigation for enforcement of the transferred patents.
As evidenced by the various agreements, the purpose of the transfer of the
patent prosecution files and the IDFs were part of the joint legal strategy involving the
Nokia and Sony entities that began before MMI’s formation and continued thereafter.
MMI and the Nokia and Sony entities have operated with the expectation that any
shared privilege communications would be confidential and protected from disclosure.
The Nokia and Sony entities, as licensees, clearly share a common legal interest in MMI
prevailing in this action. That as a result of the Formation Agreement, MMI is now the
owner of the patents does not eviscerate or prevent the sharing of a common legal
interest with Nokia and Sony.47 Therefore, Apple’s request for the patent prosecution
files and IDFs is denied.
Documents Sought from Nokia
In support of its demand, Apple primarily relies on exhibit 4 attached to its original
46
The reversionary interest under § 4.03 of the Formation Agreement was
eliminated in early 2012. See D.I. 240 at 3 n.3.
47
Apple acknowledges the development of a litigation strategy between Sony
and Nokia predated MMI’s formation, and was implemented after MMI’s formation, and
specifically notes such cooperation continued thereafter with each other and MMI “to
further that legal strategy” for enforcement of the patents. See D.I. 370 at 1.
14
submission.48 In fact, its very general, non-specific and broad description of the
communications sought is a paraphrase of items 1 through 3 of that email. Its
paraphrase, however, is not an accurate description of the content of the email. Absent
the fact that the email merely contains suggestions of an agenda for a future meeting,
the topics proposed were an in depth legal analysis and presentation of that analysis by
Sony and Nokia regarding coverage under the patents being considered, including
mapping the extent of each patent’s coverage to help determine its value. Other
suggested topics in the email include the type of joint venture formation and the key
terms of a joint venture agreement. Nothing in the email suggests the proposed topics
were solely related to commercial purposes. As evidenced from the affidavits
submitted, any analysis shared allowed each party through their attorneys to assess the
legal merits, including validity, of the patents to be contributed to the enforcement entity,
MMI. Although part of that analysis may have considered the value of those patents in
relation to the extent of their coverage, as noted in Teleglobe Communications, the
mere overlap of commercial and legal interests “does not negate the effect of the legal
interests in establishing a community of interest.”49 Substantial, not sole, legal interest
is required. As evidenced by the declarations submitted and discussed previously
herein, the transferred information was not solely or primarily for commercial purposes.
The exchanges by Sony, Nokia and MPEG were made under non-disclosure
agreements with the understanding the parties shared a common legal interest. Those
non-disclosure agreements required the parties to keep all information received strictly
48
49
D.I. 337.
493 F.3d at 365.
15
confidential and not be disclosed to third parties. A common legal interest agreement,
having an effective date of April 1, 2009, was also executed. It “ensure[d] . . . such
sharing, exchanges and disclosures of Privileged Information among the parties . . . do
not (i) impair or in any way diminish the confidentiality of such information, and (ii) do
not constitute a waiver of any privilege . . . .”50 The agreement acknowledged litigation
was contemplated.51 Information shared involved various legal aspects of legal
strategy, venture formation, tax matters, competition law, licensing opportunities and
other similar issues. Thus, all shared privilege material occurred with the expectation
the communications would be kept confidential and protected from disclosure.52
Unlike in Leader Technologies v. Facebook, Apple does not dispute that a
common legal interest exists.53 Further, when comparing the affidavits relied upon by
Judge Stark in the Xerox matter with the declarations submitted in the instant matter,
they are similar in content for establishing a common interest privilege and similarly
demonstrate that the relationship of Sony, Nokia and MPEG was “sufficiently imbued
with common legal interests” plainly related to future litigation.54 Like IPValue in Xerox,
the Sony, Nokia and MPEG entities receive a percentage of the recovery from any
successful enforcement by MMI of the transferred patents confirming their common
interest in MMI prevailing in the present litigation.55
Apple’s argument that Sony and Nokia waited six months to execute a common
50
D.I. 352, Ex. 1 at 2.
Id. at 1.
52
Xerox Corp. v. Google, Inc., 801 F. Supp. 2d 293, 304 (D. Del. 2011).
53
719 F. Supp. 2d 373, 376 (D. Del. 2010).
54
801 F. Supp. 2d at 303.
55
Id. at 304.
51
16
interest agreement also fails and ignores when the exchanges occurred, non-disclosure
agreements had been executed. As noted in Rembrandt Technolgies v. Harris Corp.,
“[a] confidentiality agreement underlying a common interest claim need not be in writing;
an ‘oral agreement . . . later memorialized in writing’ . . . can provide the platform upon
which the common interest can rest.”56 Further, in Xerox, no written common interest
agreement was executed between the parties:57 rather because the communications
involved parties and their attorneys allied in a common legal cause, the protection
existed because the exchange of privileged information would not have occurred except
to accomplish that objective.58
Finally, despite Apple’s protestations to the contrary, the request for further
discovery comes too late. Although Apple detailed the various “meet and confers” since
December 2011, that process began very late in the litigation, after the close of
discovery. The issue of Nokia’s production has been brewing as early as July 2011,
when objections to Apple’s discovery were lodged.59 As noted by Judge Robinson in
Stambler v. RSA Security, “[i]n every trial there comes a time when discovery must be
closed for the issues to be resolved through summary judgment or trial. In the case at
bar, that time has long since passed.”60
Therefore, Apple’s motion for further discovery from Nokia is denied.
56
C.A. No. 07C-09-059-JRS, 2009 WL 402332, at *7 (Del. Super. Feb. 12, 2009),
quoting American Legacy Found. v. Lorrilard Tobacco Co., C.A. No. 19406-VC Lamb,
2004 WL 2521289, at *3 (Del. Chan. Nov. 3, 2004).
57
Xerox Corp. v. Google, Inc., C.A. No. 10-136-LPS, D.I. 216 n.1.
58
Xerox, 801 F. Supp. 2d at 304.
59
Apple does not refute the objections were filed; it argues it did not fully
understand the reasoning for them.
60
212 F.R.D. 470, 472 (D. Del. 2003).
17
Consistent with the reasoning herein, IT IS ORDERED that Apple’s motion for
discovery (D.I. 310) from MMI and Nokia is DENIED.
Date: September 10, 2012
/s/ Mary Pat Thynge
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
18
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