Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_12-cv-01971/USCOURTS-cand-4_12-cv-01971-58/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 830
Nature of Suit: Patent
Cause of Action: 35:271 Patent Infringement

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DIGITAL REG OF TEXAS, LLC,

Plaintiff,

v.

ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED,

Defendant.

Case No. 12-cv-01971-CW (KAW)

ORDER REQUIRING ADDITIONAL 

INFORMATION REGARDING 

ADOBE'S MOTION FOR REVIEW OF 

CLERK'S ORDER TAXING COSTS

Re: Dkt. No. 816

Adobe’s motion for review of the clerk’s order taxing costs was referred to the undersigned 

for report and recommendation. Upon review of the moving papers, the Court orders Adobe to 

file a declaration with copies of all receipts and invoices attached as exhibits. The receipts should 

be organized by category and be accompanied by a chart that lists all of the receipts. Deposition 

transcript receipts should be organized by deponent, so that the original transcripts are grouped 

with the receipts for the copies (i.e. videotapes or ASCII).

The missing receipt referenced by the Clerk in the Bill of Costs is for the August 19, 2014 

entry for “trial transcripts,” in the amount of $9,171.27. That amount was disallowed because the 

receipt was not attached. That a copy of the receipt may have been attached to a subsequent filing 

does not remedy Adobe’s failure to submit the receipt with the original bill of costs or the instant 

motion. Indeed, either an errata or supplemental declaration should have been filed to include the 

original receipt. Notwithstanding, the receipt Adobe cites to in its motion does not appear to be 

the missing receipt, and the undersigned declines to scour the record in search of it. (See Mot., 

Dkt. No. 816 at 2 (citing Dkt. No. 803-9).) If Adobe wishes to have the missing receipt 

considered, it must be attached to the supplemental declaration.

Additionally, if the parties have stipulated to splitting any taxable costs, namely trial 

Case 4:12-cv-01971-CW Document 829 Filed 05/20/15 Page 1 of 3
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

transcripts, written confirmation of such an agreement should be provided. See Civil L.R. 54-3(b). 

Adobe may also wish to revisit its challenge regarding the taxable costs of deposition 

transcripts. As Adobe acknowledges, pursuant to the Local Rules, a prevailing party is only 

entitled to the cost of one original transcript and one copy. Civil L.R. 54-3(c)(1). The one copy 

may be in text or another format (E-Transcript, ASCII, video, rough transcript, etc.). Id. In 

practice, the Clerk generally taxes costs for the original and the most expensive copy, and denies 

the rest as more copies than are permitted under the Local Rules. For example, if John Doe is 

deposed and the deposition is videotaped, the prevailing party may recover the cost for the original 

transcript and the videotape, but not the ASCII, E-Transcript or rough versions, because the video 

is more expensive. Also, hyperlinking is not taxable.

Furthermore, the attendance fee of a court reporter is only allowable if the witness fails to 

appear. Civil L.R. 54-3(c)(5).

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54 provides that “[u]nless a federal statute, these rules, or 

a court order provides otherwise, costs—other than attorney's fees—should be allowed to the 

prevailing party.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(1). Generally, paralegal time is recoverable through a 

motion for attorneys’ fees. Here, Adobe seeks payment for paralegal fees allegedly incurred as 

exemplification costs for the creation of demonstratives used at trial. (Mot. at 2.) While the clerk 

taxed costs for the third party vendor, she declined to tax costs for the paralegal work. Adobe has 

provided no legal support for its request to recover internal paralegal fees for exemplification 

costs, but claims that the hourly rates charged by its paralegals are reasonable. (Reply, Dkt. No. 

822 at 5.) Thus, Adobe must provide authority for performing a lodestar analysis in connection 

with a bill of costs. Otherwise, the Court will decline to perform a lodestar analysis, and will not 

recommend that the paralegal fees be taxed.

Accordingly, if Adobe still wishes the Court to review the bill of costs, Adobe is ordered to 

submit an amended motion on or before June 3, 2015, as well as a supplemental declaration with 

all of the receipts attached. In light of the guidance provided above, should Adobe wish to reduce 

the amount of taxable costs sought, it is invited to do so. If an amended motion is filed, Digital 

Reg shall be permitted to file an opposition within 14 days pursuant to a normal briefing schedule. 

Case 4:12-cv-01971-CW Document 829 Filed 05/20/15 Page 2 of 3
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United States District Court

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The Court will not, however, entertain any challenges to taxable costs already awarded. Adobe 

may file a reply.

Alternatively, if Adobe decides to only seek taxation of the missing receipt and other costs 

that Digital Reg had agreed to pay, it may file a supplemental declaration with that information 

attached and state that it is withdrawing the remainder of its motion. This shall also be filed on or 

before June 3, 2015. Should this occur, Digital Reg will not be permitted a response.

Upon receipt of all submissions, the Court will determine whether a hearing is necessary or 

if the matter may be resolved without further briefing and oral argument under Civil Local Rule 

7-1(b).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 20, 2015

__________________________________

KANDIS A. WESTMORE

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 4:12-cv-01971-CW Document 829 Filed 05/20/15 Page 3 of 3