Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-03779/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-03779-10/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 830
Nature of Suit: Patent
Cause of Action: 35:183 Patent Infringement

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

AFFYMETRIX, INC., a Delaware corporation,

Plaintiff and Counterdefendant,

 v.

MULTILYTE LTD., a British corporation,

Defendant and Counterclaimant.

 /

No. C 03-03779 WHA

ORDER MODIFYING

PROTECTIVE ORDER AND

VACATING HEARING

In this patent action, Multilyte now moves to resolve a dispute arising from an alleged

violation of the stipulated protective order. Mr. Steven Lendaris, a fourth-year associate at

Heller Ehrman was assigned to review confidential documents produced by Affymetrix. 

Between March 14, 2005 and March 31, 2005, he reviewed approximately 50,000 pages of

customer emails, approximately 12,000 pages of laboratory notebooks, and approximately 1,000

pages of “device master record” documents (Lendaris Decl. ¶¶ 2–3). The problem is that

Mr. Lendaris also prosecutes patents relating to arrays for analyte detection.

As typical of most patent litigation, the parties entered into a stipulated protective order

on February 9, 2004, which was adopted with modifications by order dated February 17, 2004. 

The Court only retained jurisdiction for 45 days after final termination of this action; final

judgment was entered on June 23, 2005. Nonetheless, the parties jointly requested and received

an extension to file a motion by August 11, 2005.

There is no dispute that the materials produced by Affymetrix was sensitive technical

information designated “Confidential, Attorneys’ Eyes Only.” The stipulated protective order

provided that only “Qualified Persons” could review such confidential documents. Paragraph

Case 3:03-cv-03779-WHA Document 363 Filed 09/01/05 Page 1 of 2
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4(b)(i) expressly provided that “any person who is currently involved, or whose job

responsibilities make them likely to be involved in the future, in the preparation or prosecution

of patents or patent applications directed to arrays for analyte detection are excluded from the

definition of ‘Qualified Persons.’” There was no explicit provision to describe the

consequences of having prosecution counsel review materials covered by the protective order.

Good cause having been shown, the protective order is now MODIFIED to provide that:

(1) Any person who has reviewed confidential materials subject to this

protective order is barred from prosecuting patents directed to making

or using “nucleic acid arrays” for a period of 24 months after his or her

last review of confidential Affymetrix materials; and

(2) Any person who has reviewed confidential materials subject to this

protective order is barred from prosecuting any patent applications

directed to making or using “nucleic acid arrays” that claim a priority

date before March 31, 2005, until after December 31, 2007.

This order clarifies that “directed to” means that the subject matter of the patented

invention relates to nucleic acid arrays. In other words, Mr. Lendaris is free to prosecute other

biotechnology patents wherein arrays for analyte detection are not part of the invention; this

specifically includes the four patent applications that Mr. Lendaris is currently prosecuting for

Genentech, previously identified by Heller Ehrman in a letter dated April 6, 2005:

10/028,072 (Publication No. 20030004311)

10/052,586 (Publication No. 20020127584)

10/216,162 (Publication No. 20030100709)

10/197,942 (Publication No. 20030077742)

In addition, Mr. Lendaris must agree in writing to abide by the foregoing and to never use any of

Affymetrix’s confidential information for any purpose. The Court does not retain jurisdiction to

further enforce this protective order. This order is without prejudice to Affymetrix filing suit in

state court should any disputes concerning this protective order arise in the future. The hearing

on this motion, currently scheduled for SEPTEMBER 8, 2005, is VACATED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 1, 2005 

WILLIAM ALSUP

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:03-cv-03779-WHA Document 363 Filed 09/01/05 Page 2 of 2