Kim v. Coach, Inc, et al

Filing 49

ORDER DENYING MOTIONS TO SEAL by Judge Ricardo S Martinez; The parties' 22 32 40 Motions to Seal are DENIED; Defts are directed to file redacted versions of the sealed documents within 7 days of the date of this Order. (TF)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE

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GINA KIM, on behalf of a class
consisting of herself and all other persons
similarly situated,

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ORDER DENYING MOTIONS TO
SEAL

Plaintiffs,

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CASE NO. C11-0214

v.
COACH, INC., a Maryland corporation,
and COACH SERVICES, INC., a
Maryland corporation,
Defendants.

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This matter comes before the Court on Motions to Seal filed by Plaintiff and Defendants.

19 Pursuant to Local Rule 5(g)(2), “[t]here is a strong presumption of public access to the court’s
20 files.” Furthermore, Local Rule 5(g)(3) states that “[t]he court will allow parties to file entire
21 memoranda under seal only in rare circumstances.” The rule goes on to state that “[i]f possible,
22 a party should protect sensitive information by redacting documents rather than seeking to file
23 them under seal.”
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ORDER DENYING MOTIONS TO SEAL - 1

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In the case at hand, Defendants contend that the documents in question “contain highly

2 confidential business information concerning how Coach Companies identify counterfeit
3 products,” and they further contend that the disclosure of such information would enable
4 counterfeiters to evade detection. Dkt. #40 at 2. However, the Court sees no reason why the
5 entire documents should be sealed. Rather, the Court directs Defendants to file redacted versions
6 of the documents in question. The existing versions of those documents will remain under seal
7 provided that the redacted versions are filed within 7 days of the date of this Order, and provided
8 that the redactions strictly adhere to the standard set forth under Local Rule 5(g).
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Accordingly, the Court hereby finds and ORDERS:

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(1) All Motions to Seal are DENIED. (Dkt #22, Dkt #32, Dkt #40).

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(2) Defendants are directed to file redacted versions of the sealed documents within 7

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days of the date of this Order.

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Dated May 4, 2011.

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A

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RICARDO S. MARTINEZ
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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ORDER DENYING MOTIONS TO SEAL - 2