Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_03-cv-02289/USCOURTS-cand-5_03-cv-02289-27/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

SYNOPSYS, INC.,

Plaintiff,

v.

RICOH CO., LTD.,

Defendant.

___________________________________/

RICOH CO., LTD.,

Plaintiff,

v.

AEROFLEX, et al.,

Defendants.

___________________________________/

No. C-03-2289 MJJ (EMC)

No. C-03-4669 MJJ (EMC)

ORDER GRANTING SYNOPSYS AND

CUSTOMER DEFENDANTS’ MOTION

FOR ADDITIONAL TIME TO

COMPLETE ALREADY

OUTSTANDING AND TIMELY

SERVED LIMITED THIRD PARTY

DISCOVERY

(Docket No. 326 in C-03-2289; Docket No.

463 in C-03-4669)

On May 30, 2006, Synopsys and the Customer Defendants (collectively “Defendants”) filed a

motion for additional time to complete already outstanding and timely served limited third party

discovery. Through its staff, the Court informed the parties that, so long as the subpoenas were

timely served, the motion was unnecessary. Given this guidance, the parties resolved the majority of

issues in Defendants’ motion. However, the parties are at an impasse as to whether one deposition,

namely, the 30(b)(6) deposition of the University of South Carolina (“USC”), should be permitted.

There is no dispute that the subpoena was timely served on USC – i.e., prior to the discovery

cut-off date. There is also no dispute that the subpoena sought not only documents but also a

deposition (although the place of deposition and date and time were not specified). In spite of this,

Case 5:03-cv-02289-JW Document 398 Filed 07/19/06 Page 1 of 2
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Ricoh contends that the deposition should not proceed, arguing that (1) the deposition is not relevant;

(2) Defendants did not diligently pursue the deposition; and (3) Ricoh would be prejudiced if the

deposition were to proceed.

Ricoh’s arguments are unavailing. Relevance for purposes of discovery is broad, and

Defendants have identified how the deposition is relevant to ownership and inventorship of the ‘432

patent. As for Defendants’ diligence in pursuing the deposition, while Defendants were not as

diligent as they could have been, some of the delay in moving forward with the deposition was not of

Defendants’ making. USC did not produce documents until June 6, 2006. Counsel for Ricoh was

not available from June 30 to July 10, 2006, because of an office move. Counsel for USC was not

available from July 10 to July 17, 2006, because of a vacation. Finally, one deposition will not

unduly obstruct Ricoh from conducting its expert discovery or constitute an undue expense to Ricoh. 

Moreover, the burden of the discovery sought by Defendants is outweighed by its potential benefit.

Accordingly, the Court shall allow Defendants to proceed with the 30(b)(6) deposition of

USC. In so ruling, the Court does not preclude USC from asserting any objection to the deposition

going forward. The Court notes, for example, that the subpoena did not “describe . . . the matters on

which examination is requested.” See Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(6). But see De Mory Decl., Ex. 17

(letter from J. Fink to G. Lampl, dated 5/17/00, discussing what documents Defendants “are most

interested in”). The deposition of USC shall take place before August 18, 2006, i.e., prior to the

close of expert discovery and the date dispositive motions are due.

This order disposes of Docket No. 326 in C-03-2289 and Docket No. 463 in C-03-4669.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 19, 2006

 

 EDWARD M. CHEN

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 5:03-cv-02289-JW Document 398 Filed 07/19/06 Page 2 of 2