Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-mc-00159/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-mc-00159-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: Civil Miscellaneous Case

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN,

Movant,

v.

FACEBOOK, INC.,

Third-Party Respondent.

No. 2:15-mc-0159-TLN-KJN

ORDER

The Republic of Kazakhstan is the plaintiff in an action currently pending in the United 

States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Case Number 1:15-cv-1900. On 

December 10, 2015, the Republic of Kazakhstan commenced the instant miscellaneous action in 

this court, and filed a motion to compel compliance with a subpoena to produce documents

directed to third party Facebook, Inc. (ECF No. 1.) The motion has not yet been noticed for a 

hearing.

As an initial matter, the court has some concerns that the subpoena may exceed the 

geographical limits of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 45, which provides, in part, that: “[a] 

subpoena may command...production of documents, electronically stored information, or 

tangible things at a place within 100 miles of where the person resides, is employed, or regularly 

transacts business in person....” Fed. R. Civ. P. 45(c)(2)(A). In this case, the subpoena directs 

Case 2:15-mc-00159-TLN-KJN Document 5 Filed 12/15/15 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

third party Facebook, Inc., which is located at 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, California to produce 

the documents at the offices of Matheny Sears Linkert & Jamie LLP, which is located at 3638 

American River Drive, Sacramento, California. According to a Mapquest search, the distance 

between these locations exceeds 100 miles. Although the court expresses no final opinion 

regarding the matter at this juncture, the Republic of Kazakhstan shall address the court’s 

concerns regarding the issue of geographical limits in its briefing in support of the motion, if it 

elects to continue to pursue enforcement of the subpoena. 

Within fourteen (14) days, the Republic of Kazakhstan shall make good faith efforts to 

meet and confer with Facebook, Inc. regarding the subpoena. In the event that the parties are 

unable to informally resolve the matter, and if the Republic of Kazakhstan concludes that the 

subpoena was properly issued, it shall notice its motion for a hearing before the undersigned in 

accordance with Local Rule 251. The Republic of Kazakhstan shall serve a copy of this order on 

Facebook, Inc. along with its motion. Alternatively, the Republic of Kazakhstan shall file a 

notice of withdrawal of the motion to compel compliance with the subpoena.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Within fourteen (14) days of this order, the Republic of Kazakhstan shall meet and 

confer with third party Facebook, Inc. and either: (a) notice its motion to compel 

compliance with the subpoena for a hearing before the undersigned pursuant to Local 

Rule 251, or (b) file a notice of withdrawal of that motion.

2. Failure to timely comply with this order will result in an order summarily denying the 

pending motion without prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: 12/15/15

Case 2:15-mc-00159-TLN-KJN Document 5 Filed 12/15/15 Page 2 of 2