Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_05-cv-03117/USCOURTS-cand-3_05-cv-03117-77/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 830
Nature of Suit: Patent
Cause of Action: 28:1338 Patent Infringement

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

THERASENSE, INC.,

Plaintiff,

 v.

BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY,

Defendant. /

AND CONSOLIDATED CASES. 

 /

No. C 04-02123 WHA

Consolidated with

No. C 04-03327 WHA

No. C 04-03732 WHA

No. C 05-03117 WHA

ORDER RE DOCUMENTS

SUBMITTED UNDER SEAL

Each side has until APRIL 25, 2008, AT NOON to show why the documents it has

designated as confidential should be filed under seal. The parties are reminded of the high

standard required to seal documents. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c), the Court

may seal documents used in non-dispositive motions (i.e., motions in limine) upon a showing of 

“good cause” by the party seeking to seal the documents. The party asserting good cause “bears

the burden, for each particular document it seeks to protect, of showing that specific prejudice

or harm will result if no protective order is granted.” Foltz v. State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co.,

331 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2003).

In Kamakana v. Honolulu, 447 F.3d 1172, 1179 (9th Cir. 2006), the Ninth Circuit held

that more than good cause, indeed, “compelling reasons” are required to seal documents used in

dispositive motions, just as compelling reasons would be needed to justify a closure of a

courtroom during trial. Otherwise, the Ninth Circuit held, public access to the work of the

Case 3:05-cv-03117-WHA Document 831 Filed 04/23/08 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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courts will be unduly compromised. Therefore, no request for a sealing order will be allowed

on summary judgment motions (or other dispositive motions) unless the movant first shows a

“compelling reason,” a substantially higher standard than “good cause.” Only social security

numbers, names of juveniles, home addresses and phone numbers, and trade secrets of a

compelling nature (like the recipe for Coca Cola, for example) will qualify. If the courtroom

would not be closed for the information, nor should any summary judgment proceedings, which

are, in effect, a substitute for trial. 

The Court will strictly apply these standards to all documents submitted under seal by

the parties.

Dated: April 23, 2008. WILLIAM ALSUP

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:05-cv-03117-WHA Document 831 Filed 04/23/08 Page 2 of 2