Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_14-cv-04853/USCOURTS-cand-5_14-cv-04853-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 840
Nature of Suit: Trademark
Cause of Action: 15:44 Trademark Infringement

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Case No. 5:14-cv-04853-PSG 

OMNIBUS ORDER RE: MOTIONS TO SEAL 

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United States District Court 

For the Northern District of California 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

SAN JOSE DIVISION 

NOVADAQ TECHNOLOGIES INC.

 Plaintiffs, 

 v. 

KARL STORZ GMBH & CO. KG., et al., 

 Defendants. 

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Case No. 5:14-cv-04853-PSG

OMNIBUS ORDER RE: MOTIONS 

TO SEAL 

(Re: Docket Nos. 124, 128, 135, 136, 

143, 149, 150, 151, 160) 

Before the court are nine administrative motions to seal various documents. “Historically, 

courts have recognized a ‘general right to inspect and copy public records and documents, 

including judicial records and documents.’”1 Accordingly, when considering a sealing request, “a 

‘strong presumption in favor of access’ is the starting point.”2 Parties seeking to seal judicial 

records relating to dispositive motions bear the burden of overcoming the presumption with 

“compelling reasons” that outweigh the general history of access and the public policies favoring 

disclosure.3

 

1 Kamakana v. City & County of Honolulu, 447 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th Cir. 2006) (quoting Nixon v. 

Warner Commc’ns, Inc., 435 U.S. 589, 597 & n. 7 (1978)). 

2 Id. (quoting Foltz v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 331 F.3d 1122, 1135 (9th Cir. 2003)). 

3 Id. at 1178-79. 

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Case No. 5:14-cv-04853-PSG 

OMNIBUS ORDER RE: MOTIONS TO SEAL 

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 However, “while protecting the public's interest in access to the courts, we must remain 

mindful of the parties' right to access those same courts upon terms which will not unduly harm 

their competitive interest.”4 Records attached to nondispositive motions therefore are not subject 

to the strong presumption of access.5

 Because the documents attached to nondispositive motions 

“are often unrelated, or only tangentially related, to the underlying cause of action,” parties moving 

to seal must meet the lower “good cause” standard of Rule 26(c).6

 As with dispositive motions, the 

standard applicable to nondispositive motions requires a “particularized showing”7 that “specific 

prejudice or harm will result” if the information is disclosed.8

 “Broad allegations of harm, 

unsubstantiated by specific examples of articulated reasoning” will not suffice.9

 A protective order 

sealing the documents during discovery may reflect the court’s previous determination that good 

cause exists to keep the documents sealed,10 but a blanket protective order that allows the parties to 

designate confidential documents does not provide sufficient judicial scrutiny to determine whether 

each particular document should remain sealed.11

In addition to making particularized showings of good cause, parties moving to seal 

documents must comply with the procedures established by Civ. L.R. 79-5. Pursuant to 

Civ. L.R. 79-5(b), a sealing order is appropriate only upon a request that establishes the document 

 

4 Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 727 F.3d 1214, 1228-29 (Fed. Cir. 2013). 

5 See id. at 1180. 

6 Id. at 1179 (internal quotations and citations omitted). 

7 Id.

8 Phillips ex rel. Estates of Byrd v. Gen. Motors Corp., 307 F.3d 1206, 1210-11 (9th Cir. 2002); 

see Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c). 

9 Beckman Indus., Inc. v. Int’l Ins. Co., 966 F.2d 470, 476 (9th Cir. 1992). 

10 See Kamakana, 447 F.3d at 1179-80. 

11 See Civ. L.R. 79-5(d)(1)(A) (“Reference to a stipulation or protective order that allows a party to 

designate certain documents as confidential is not sufficient to establish that a document, or 

portions thereof, are sealable.”). 

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Case No. 5:14-cv-04853-PSG 

OMNIBUS ORDER RE: MOTIONS TO SEAL 

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is “sealable,” or “privileged or protectable as a trade secret or otherwise entitled to protection under 

the law.” “The request must be narrowly tailored to seek sealing only of sealable material, and 

must conform with Civil L.R. 79-5(d).”12 “Within 4 days of the filing of the Administrative 

Motion to File Under Seal, the Designating Party must file a declaration as required by subsection 

79-5(d)(1)(A) establishing that all of the designated material is sealable.”13

With these standards in mind, the courts rules on the instant motions as follows: 

Motion to 

Seal 

Document to be Sealed Result Reason/Explanation 

124-5 Exhibit A to Welsh 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

124-7 Exhibit E to Welsh 

Declaration 

SEALED. Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

124-9 Exhibit F to Welsh 

Declaration 

Page 2 SEALED; remainder 

UNSEALED. 

Only sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

124-11 Exhibit G to Welsh 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

124-13 Exhibit I to Welsh 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

 

12 Civ. L.R. 79-5(b). In part, Civ. L.R. 79-5(d) requires the submitting party to attach a “proposed 

order that is narrowly tailored to seal only the sealable material” which “lists in table format each 

document or portion thereof that is sought to be sealed,” Civ. L.R. 79-5(d)(1)(b), and an 

“unredacted version of the document” that indicates “by highlighting or other clear method, the 

portions of the document that have been omitted from the redacted version.” 

Civ. L.R. 79-5(d)(1)(d). 

13 Civ. L.R. 79-5(e)(1). The Civil Local Rules have recently been amended shortening the time 

available to the designating party to file a supporting declaration from seven days to four days. As 

this rule change was only recently implemented the court applies the prior form of Civ. L.R. 79-5 

for the purposes of this order. 

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OMNIBUS ORDER RE: MOTIONS TO SEAL 

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128-4 Novadaq’s Opposition to 

Karl Storz’s Motion for 

Leave to File Motion for 

Reconsideration 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

128-6 Declaration of Jennifer 

Lee Taylor 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

128-8 Exhibit 1 to Taylor 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information 

and no supporting 

declaration filed. 

128-10 Exhibit 2 to Taylor 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information 

and no supporting 

declaration filed. 

128-12 Exhibit 3 to Taylor 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information 

and no supporting 

declaration filed. 

135-4 Karl Storz’s Reply to 

Motion for Leave to File 

Motion for 

Reconsideration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

135-6 Declaration of Walter B. 

Welsh 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow at 1:13-15 SEALED; 

remainder UNSEALED. 

Only sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

135-8 Exhibit K to Welsh 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

136-3 Novadaq’s Opposition to 

Karl Storz’s Motion for 

Leave to File Motion for 

Reconsideration 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

136-5 Exhibit A to Taylor 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

143-4 Novadaq’s Opposition to 

Karl Storz’s Motion to 

Extend Time 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

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OMNIBUS ORDER RE: MOTIONS TO SEAL 

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143-6 Exhibit L to Taylor 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

143-8 Exhibit M to Taylor 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

149-4 KS’ Motion to Compel 

Depositions 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

149-6 Exhibit A to Welsh 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

149-8 Exhibit L to Welsh 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

149-10 Exhibit O to Welsh 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

149-12 Exhibit P to Welsh 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

149-14 Exhibit T to Welsh 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

149-16 Exhibit U to Welsh 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

150-4 Novadaq’s Motion for 

Rule 37(b)(2) Sanctions 

for Defendants’ Violation 

of Four Discovery Orders 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

150-6 [PROPOSED] Order 

Granting Novadaq’s 

Motion for Rule 37(b)(2) 

Sanctions for Defendants’ 

Violation of Four 

Discovery Orders 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

151-1 Declaration of Jennifer 

Lee Taylor in support of 

Novadaq’s Motion for 

Rule 37(b)(2) Sanctions 

for Defendants’ Violation 

of Four Discovery Orders 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

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151-2 Exhibit H to Taylor 

Declaration 

Designations redacted in black 

at Docket No. 169-3 SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

151-3 Exhibit I to Taylor 

Declaration 

Designations redacted in black 

at Docket No. 169-4 SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

151-5 Declaration of Joyce Liou 

in support of Novadaq’s 

Motion for Rule 37(b)(2) 

Sanctions for Defendants’ 

Violation of Four 

Discovery Orders 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

151-6 Exhibit A to Liou 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

151-7 Exhibit B to Liou 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

151-8 Exhibit C to Liou 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

151-9 Exhibit D to Liou 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

151-10 Exhibit F to Liou 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. No supporting 

declaration filed. 

151-11 Exhibit G to Liou 

Declaration 

SEALED. Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

151-12 Exhibit H to Liou 

Declaration 

SEALED. Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

151-14 Exhibit K to Liou 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

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151-15 Exhibit O to Liou 

Declaration

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information; 

Novadaq shall re-file 

with highlights to 

more narrowly tailor 

by July 8, 2015. 

151-16 Exhibit P to Liou 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information; 

Novadaq shall re-file 

with highlights to 

more narrowly tailor 

by July 8, 2015. 

151-17 Exhibit T to Liou 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information; 

Novadaq will re-file 

with highlights to 

more narrowly tailor 

by July 8, 2015. 

151-18 Exhibit U to Liou 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information; 

Novadaq shall re-file 

with highlights to 

more narrowly tailor 

by July 8, 2015. 

151-19 Exhibit Y to Liou 

Declaration 

UNSEALED. Not narrowly tailored 

to confidential 

business information. 

160-4 

(originally 

filed at 

100-3) 

Novadaq’s Opposition to 

Defendants’ Motion for 

Protective Order 

Regarding Dr. Storz 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-6 

(originally 

filed at 

100-8) 

Exhibit 4 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-8 

(originally 

filed at 

100-11) 

Exhibit 7 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

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160-10 

(originally 

filed 

at100-12) 

Exhibit 8 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-12 

(originally 

filed 

at100-14) 

Exhibit 10 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-14 

(originally 

filed at 

100-15) 

Exhibit 11 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-16 

(originally 

filed at 

100-16) 

Exhibit 12 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-23 

(originally 

filed at 

100-21) 

Exhibit 20 to Foran 

Declaration 

SEALED. Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-24 

(originally 

filed at 

100-21) 

Exhibit 20 to Foran 

Declaration 

SEALED. Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-25 

(originally 

filed at 

100-21) 

Exhibit 20 to Foran 

Declaration 

SEALED. Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-26 

(originally 

filed at 

100-21) 

Exhibit 20 to Foran 

Declaration 

SEALED. Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-27 

(originally 

filed at 

100-21) 

Exhibit 20 to Foran 

Declaration 

SEALED. Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-28 

(originally 

filed at 

100-21) 

Exhibit 20 to Foran 

Declaration 

SEALED. Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

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160-30 

(originally 

filed at 

100-22) 

Exhibit 21 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-32 

(originally 

filed at 

100-23) 

Exhibit 22 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-34 

(originally 

filed at 

100-24) 

Exhibit 23 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-36 

(originally 

filed at 

100-25) 

Exhibit 24 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-38 

(originally 

filed at 

100-27) 

Exhibit 26 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

160-40 

(originally 

filed at 

100-29) 

Exhibit 28 to Foran 

Declaration 

Designations highlighted in 

yellow SEALED. 

Sealed portions 

narrowly tailored to 

confidential business 

information. 

SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 1, 2015 

 _________________________________ 

PAUL S. GREWAL 

United States Magistrate Judge 

Case 5:14-cv-04853-PSG Document 173 Filed 07/01/15 Page 9 of 9