Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-01197/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-01197-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 830
Nature of Suit: Patent
Cause of Action: 35:145 Patent Infringement

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FINJAN, INC.,

Plaintiff,

v.

SOPHOS, INC.,

Defendant.

Case No. 14-cv-01197-WHO 

ORDER RE DISCOVERY DISPUTE

Re: Dkt. No. 105

The parties filed a Joint Statement of Discovery Dispute on October 6, 2015 regarding 

whether Sophos must provide more specific source code identification for 16 Accused 

Instrumentalities in response to Finjan’s Interrogatory No. 16. Dkt. No. 105. I held a hearing on 

October 8, 2015.

Sophos argued, in summary, that Finjan has had the source code for sixteen months. 

Moreover, Sophos has provided folder path information and identified the master build files, and 

made technical counsel and its internal Perforce source code available. Given that it is Finjan’s 

burden to prove its case, Sophos asserts that it has done all that is required. In addition, Sophos 

says that it does not know how to answer the interrogatory because the Accused Instrumentalities 

are a mixture of marketing terms, internal product development release names and software 

components. Finjan essentially responds that the manner in which the source code has been 

produced has made it impossible to develop its case, that the master build files are enormous and 

extremely difficult to navigate, that the Perforce source code was provided without a way to search 

it reasonably, and that the technical counsel has either obstructed or failed to assist Finjan in a 

useful way. It argues that Sophos is playing games to render Finjan’s expert report erroneous and 

incomplete because, for example, the expert cannot reasonably know from the production to date 

what source code is active.

Case 3:14-cv-01197-WHO Document 114 Filed 10/09/15 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

On this record, it is impossible to know who is telling the truth. I see two paths forward. 

The first may be burdensome but necessary. By October 16, 2015, the parties shall file expert 

declarations that explain why having the source code for sixteen months, the folder path 

information, identification of the master build files, technical counsel’s assistance and the internal 

Perforce source code is or is not sufficient for Finjan to identify what it seeks from Sophos in 

Interrogatory No. 16. By the same date, Finjan shall file excerpts of depositions that discuss the 

Accused Instrumentalities or other evidence that tends to contradict Sophos’s assertions that it 

cannot identify the Accused Instrumentalities with requisite certainty to respond to the 

interrogatory. The parties may also separately file briefs of no more than five pages in length if 

the declarations and previous Joint Statement are insufficient to fully explain their positions. It is 

my hope that such a record will allow me to rule on the issue, but if not, I may appoint an expert 

or master to resolve the issue.

Alternatively, the parties may work this out cooperatively, the way that experienced trial 

lawyers are typically able to. I ORDER that trial counsel immediately (today or tomorrow) 

engage in a meet and confer session of at least 30 minutes in length to try to resolve this dispute, 

which is threatening to derail the litigation and divert time and money in ways that the parties may 

not think is productive. But if a decision is needed, once I have a sufficient record I will provide 

it, and there will be consequences if I determine that either side has not been candid with the 

Court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 9, 2015

______________________________________

WILLIAM H. ORRICK

United States District Judge

Case 3:14-cv-01197-WHO Document 114 Filed 10/09/15 Page 2 of 2