Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_06-cv-01619/USCOURTS-cand-4_06-cv-01619-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 820
Nature of Suit: Copyright
Cause of Action: 17:501 Copyright Infringement

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States District C

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For the Northern District of California

 

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

J. CARLOS FERGUSON,

 Plaintiff.

 v.

ROCKWELL HOPP,

 Defendant.

_____________________________/

No. C 06-1619 SBA (WDB)

ORDER FOLLOWING DISCOVERY

STATUS CONFERENCE 

On August 30, 2006, the Court conducted a status conference in this matter on certain

discovery issues and on the parties' mutual request to continue an upcoming Early Neutral

Evaluation ("ENE") session. For reasons more fully explained on the record, the Court

CONTINUES the ENE session set for September 6, 2006 and enters the following interim

ORDERS: 

1. At the outset of the hearing, Mr. Gold presented to the Court a copy of a letter

sent from Mr. J. Kevin Snyder, Esq., at Dykema Gossett in Los Angeles to Plaintiff's counsel,

Mr. Aaron Schur. This letter informed Mr. Schur that Mr. Snyder had been retained to

represent Defendant and would substitute in as counsel to replace Mr. Robert Gold. Mr.

Synder was not present at the status conference, however, nor had he filed a proper

substitution of counsel as of the time of the conference. Accordingly, if Defendant and Mr.

Synder intend that Mr. Snyder appear in this action on behalf of Defendant, by no later than

Case 4:06-cv-01619-WDB Document 38 Filed 08/31/06 Page 1 of 3
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Friday, September 8, 2006, Mr. Snyder must file a proper substitution of counsel, also

signed by Defendant. 

2. Given Defendant's apparent recent change of counsel and new counsel's

absence from the status conference, the Court sets a further status conference for Friday,

September 15, 2006 at 1:30 p.m., during which the Court will set a schedule for the

production of documents, set a date for Defendant's deposition, and re-set a date for the ENE

session. When it occurs, Defendant's deposition must be held in the Court's jury room.

 3. Mr. Robert Gold informed the Court that he has possession of the painting at

issue in this case (the "painting"). With agreement from Mr. Gold, the Court now orders that

the painting will be held by the Court during the pendency of this action. A member of

the Court's staff will contact Mr. Gold to arrange for the transfer of the painting to the Court,

and the Court will e-file an appropriate notice to all parties when the transfer is complete.

It is the Court's intention that Plaintiff and Plaintiff's counsel view the painting prior to the

deposition of Defendant. 

4. Mr. Gold also informed the Court that after taking possession of the painting,

he cut out with pinking shears the portion of the canvas (on the back of the painting) with the

signature reading "Carlos Ferguson" — and that he did so in order to facilitate making copies

of the signature for purposes of this litigation. Mr. Gold further stated that, at this time, the

portion of the canvas that he cut out is missing. Mr. Gold stated that he would continue to

look for the missing piece. Accordingly, by no later than Friday, September 8, 2006, Mr.

Gold must send a letter to Plaintiff's counsel, Ms. Parker, telling Ms. Parker the status of his

search and whether he has found the previously cut-out portion of the canvas. Mr. Gold must

simultaneously submit a copy of this letter to the undersigned. 

5. Given the apparent recent change of counsel by Defendant, by no later than

Wednesday, September 6, 2006, Mr. Gold must send a letter to all third parties to whom

he issued subpoenas in this action telling the parties that there has been a change of counsel

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and that the subpoena is therefore withdrawn. Mr. Gold must copy Plaintiff's counsel on all

such correspondence to third parties. 

6. Finally, the Court will not rule on Plaintiff's request for costs incurred from the

deposition of Defendant that did not go forward on the date scheduled, nor the request for

disciplinary action against Mr. Gold. Under this Court's Civil Local Rules, motions for such

costs and sanctions must be separately noticed and filed. Should Plaintiff wish to be heard

on these matters, Plaintiff must therefore re-file his motions in accordance with the local

rules. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 31, 2006 /s/ Wayne D. Brazil

 

WAYNE D. BRAZIL

United States Magistrate Judge

Copies: parties, SBA, WDB, ADR, stats

Case 4:06-cv-01619-WDB Document 38 Filed 08/31/06 Page 3 of 3