Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-02249/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-02249-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 820
Nature of Suit: Copyright
Cause of Action: 17:101 Copyright Infringement

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

MD HELICOPTERS, INC., 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

AEROMETALS, INC., 

Defendant. 

No. 2:16-cv-2249 TLN AC 

ORDER 

 The parties in this action agree that a Protective Order is needed for information 

exchanged during discovery, but they cannot agree on the level of protection to afford certain of 

that information. Specifically, they cannot agree on whether there is a need for designating any 

materials as “HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL – ATTORNEYS’ EYES ONLY,” rather than as imply 

“CONFIDENTIAL.” 

I. MEET AND CONFER & JOINT STATEMENT 

 The parties have met and conferred, but have not reached agreement. They have agreed to 

proceed using the Joint Statement process of E.D. Cal. R. 251.1

II. THE DISPUTE 

 Plaintiff MD Helicopters, Inc. (“MDHI”), believes that no heightened designation is 

 

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 The court will therefore disregard the separately filed documents relating to the motion. See 

ECF Nos. 17 (defendant’s Opposition), 23 (plaintiff’s declaration). 

Case 2:16-cv-02249-TLN-AC Document 24 Filed 12/09/16 Page 1 of 3
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necessary, but as a compromise, will agree to the heightened designation if: 

 The covered materials are limited to “trade secret materials as defined by Cal. Civ. Code 

§ 3426.1(d);” 

 Identification and protection of the materials complies with Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 

§§ 2019.210 (identify materials with reasonable particularity), 3426.1(d)(2) (identify 

efforts taken to protect the material); and 

 Counsel of Record – including in-house General Counsel – have access to the materials. 

See Joint Statement (ECF No. 19) at 5-6 ¶ B(1). 

 Defendant Aerometals, Inc. believes the heightened designation is necessary, but will 

accept plaintiff’s compromise, except that: 

 The covered materials must include (in addition to trade secrets), “proprietary commercial 

or financial data as referenced in 14 CFR section 413.9;” and 

 Only “outside” Counsel of Record can have access to the materials, thus no in-house 

counsel may see it, including in-house General Counsel. 

See Joint Statement at 6-7 ¶ B(2). 

III. ANALYSIS 

 Plaintiff is asking the court to impose a protective order on the parties that they would 

normally find a way to stipulate to, through compromise. The court is extremely reluctant to 

intervene at this level in the discovery process, and in the absence of a concrete dispute – neither 

side has identified any materials it wants produced or that it will not produce without a protective 

order. In addition, it is not clear that intervention at this stage will avoid future disputes, since 

either side will presumably be able to move to compel or for a protective order challenging the 

designation of particular materials once they are actually requested in discovery. 

 However, the court is amenable to addressing the matter informally, without oral 

argument and a full order to follow.2 Accordingly, the hearing on this matter will be vacated, and 

the parties will have an opportunity to discuss the matter in an informal telephone conference. 

 

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 The court notes the informal way in which this matter has been presented, devoid of any legal 

citations or references to other cases which have grappled with the issues the parties have raised. 

Case 2:16-cv-02249-TLN-AC Document 24 Filed 12/09/16 Page 2 of 3
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IV. CONCLUSION 

 For the reasons set forth above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

1. The December 14, 2016 hearing on this matter is VACATED; 

2. Plaintiff, the moving party, shall arrange for an informal telephonic conference on this 

matter, as described on the undersigned’s court web page.3 The court acknowledges that 

the parties have already satisfied the “meet and confer” requirement. In addition no 

further briefing shall be filed. 

DATED: December 9, 2016 

 

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 See 

http://www.caed.uscourts.gov/caednew/assets/File/Judge%20Claire%20Telephonic%20Discover

y%20Conferences(2).pdf. 

Case 2:16-cv-02249-TLN-AC Document 24 Filed 12/09/16 Page 3 of 3