Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_13-cv-01161/USCOURTS-cand-4_13-cv-01161-10/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 830
Nature of Suit: Patent
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

THX, LTD.,

Plaintiff,

v.

APPLE, INC.,

Defendant.

Case No. 13-cv-01161-HSG (DMR)

ORDER RE SUPPLEMENTAL 

INFORMATION

Re: Dkt. No. 59

On December 17, 2015, the parties filed a joint letter [Docket No. 59] regarding disputes 

related to the terms of a protective order governing the production of documents and information 

in this case. The court set this matter for hearing on February 4, 2016. 

The parties dispute whether THX’s attorneys, Mr. Erik Reigler and Ms. Eunice Lee, are 

involved in “competitive decision-making” in behalf of a Party or a competitor of a Party under 

U.S. Steel v. United States, 730 F.2d 1465, 1468 n.3 (Fed. Cir. 1984), such that they should be 

restricted from accessing “Confidential- Attorneys’ Eyes Only” designated material. 

The question of whether an individual is involved in competitive decision-making must be 

determined on a case-by-case basis. U.S. Steel Corp. v. United States, 730 F.2d 1465, 1468 (Fed. 

Cir. 1984). As described by U.S. Steel, "[t]he phrase [competitive decision-making] would appear 

serviceable as shorthand for a counsel's activities, association, and relationship with a client that 

are such as to involve counsel's advice and participation in any or all of the client's decisions 

(pricing, product design, etc.) made in light of similar or corresponding information about a 

competitor." U.S. Steel Corp., 730 F.2d at 1468 n.3. 

By 9:00 A.M. on January 29, 2016, Plaintiff THX Ltd. shall file detailed, substantial, 

factual and non-conclusory declarations by both Mr. Reigler and Ms. Lee. The declarations shall 

set forth counsel's background, as well as his/her duties, activities, associations and relationships 

Case 4:13-cv-01161-HSG Document 65 Filed 01/26/16 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

as they relate to the definition of competitive decision-making set forth above. Counsel shall also 

indicate any reasonably foreseeable future job duties and responsibilities regarding competitive 

decision-making. Mr. Riegler’s declaration shall also address these topics for his relationships and 

responsibilities for the other companies he works for in addition to THX. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 26, 2016

______________________________________

Donna M. Ryu

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 4:13-cv-01161-HSG Document 65 Filed 01/26/16 Page 2 of 2