International Bus. Machs. Corp. v Global 

Foundries U.S. Inc.

2024 NY Slip Op 31066(U)

March 29, 2024

Supreme Court, New York County

Docket Number: Index No. 653625/2021

Judge: Joel M. Cohen

Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip

Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York

State and local government sources, including the New

York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service.

This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official

publication.
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1359 

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 

INDEX NO. 653625/2021 

RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/29/2024 

COUNTY OF NEW YORK: COMMERCIAL DIVISION PART 03M 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------X 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES 

CORPORATION, 

- V -

GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC., 

Plaintiff, 

Defendant. 

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INDEX NO. 653625/2021 

11/10/2023, 

MOTION DATE 11/10/2023 

MOTION SEQ. NO. 048 

DECISION+ ORDER ON 

MOTION 

The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 048) 1137, 1138, 1139, 

1140, 1141, 1142, 1143, 1144, 1145, 1146, 1147, 1148, 1149, 1150, 1151, 1152, 1153, 1154, 1155, 

1156, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1160, 1161, 1162, 1163, 1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1170, 1171, 

1172, 1173, 1174, 1175, 1176, 1177, 1178, 1179, 1180, 1181, 1182, 1183, 1184, 1185, 1186, 1187, 

1188, 1189, 1190, 1191, 1192, 1193, 1194, 1195, 1196, 1199, 1200, 1201, 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205, 

1206, 1207, 1208, 1209, 1210, 1211, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1220, 1221, 

1222, 1223, 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1228, 1229, 1230, 1231, 1232, 1233, 1234, 1235, 1236, 1237, 

1238, 1239, 1240, 1241, 1242, 1243, 1244, 1245, 1246, 1247, 1248, 1249, 1250, 1251, 1252, 1253, 

1254, 1255, 1256, 1257, 1258, 1259, 1260, 1261, 1262, 1263, 1264, 1265, 1266, 1267, 1268, 1269, 

1270, 1271, 1272, 1273, 1274, 1275, 1276, 1277, 1278, 1279, 1280, 1281, 1282, 1283, 1284, 1285, 

1286, 1287, 1288, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1292, 1293, 1294, 1295, 1296, 1297, 1298, 1299, 1300, 1301, 

1302, 1303, 1304, 1305, 1306, 1307, 1308, 1309, 1310, 1312, 1317, 1318, 1319, 1320, 1321, 1351 

were read on this motion to SEAL/REDACT 

Defendant GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc. ("GF") seeks an order sealing and/or redacting 

exhibits from that were filed in connection with this proceeding as NYSCEF Document Numbers 

672,673,675,685,687,688,689,691,693,694,695,696,705,706,708,710,711,714,715, 

717,718,719,722,724,726,730,744,745,746,749,750,752,755,760,763,764,779,781, 

784,785,787,788,789,790,791,792,793,798,801,803,804,805,806,811,815,816,817, 

820,826,827,828,830,831,832,833,834,835,840,841,842,843,846,848,849,850,851, 

852,855,992,993,996,997, 1003, 1004, 1007, 1140, 1141, 1142, 1143, 1144, 1145, 1146, 

1147, 1148, 1149, 1150, 1151, 1152, 1153, 1154, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1160, 1161, 

1162, 1163, 1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1170, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1175, 1176, 

653625/2021 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS vs. GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC. 

Motion No. 047 048 

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Page 1 of 6 

[* 1]
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1359 

INDEX NO. 653625/2021 

RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/29/2024 

1177, 1178, 1179, 1180, 1181, 1182, 1183, 1184, 1185, 1186, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1191, 

1192, 1193, 1194, 1195, 1196, 1199, 1200, 1201, 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1208, 

1209, 1210, 1211, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1220, 1221, 1222, 1223, 

1224, and 1225. For the following reasons, the motion is granted in part. 

Pursuant to§ 216.1 (a) of the Uniform Rules for Trial Courts, this Court may seal a filing 

"upon a written finding of good cause, which shall specify the grounds thereof. In determining 

whether good cause has been shown, the court shall consider the interests of the public as well as 

of the parties" (22 NYCRR § 216.1 [a]). 

The Appellate Division has emphasized that "there is a broad presumption that the public 

is entitled to access to judicial proceedings and court records" (Mosallem v Berenson, 76 AD3d 

345, 348 [1st Dept 2010]). "Since the right [of public access to court proceedings] is of 

constitutional dimension, any order denying access must be narrowly tailored to serve 

compelling objectives, such as a need for secrecy that outweighs the public's right to 

access" (Danco Labs., Ltd v Chemical Works of Gedeon Richter, Ltd, 274 AD2d 1, 6 [1st Dept 

2000] [emphasis added]; see also, e.g. Gryphon Dom. VL LLC v APP Intern. Fin. Co., B. V, 28 

AD3d 322, 324 [1st Dept 2006]). "Furthermore, because confidentiality is the exception and not 

the rule, 'the party seeking to seal court records has the burden to demonstrate compelling 

circumstances to justify restricting public access"' (Maxim, Inc. v Feifer, 145 AD3d 516, 517 

[1st Dept 2016] [citations omitted]). 

The Court has reviewed the proposed sealing and/or targeted redactions in the documents 

filed as NYSCEF Document Numbers 672, 673, 685, 687, 688, 689, 691, 693, 694, 695, 696, 

705,706,708,711,714,715,717,718,719,722,724,726,730,744,745,746,749,750,752, 

755,779,784,785,787,788,789,790,791,792,793,803,804,805,806,811,815,816,827, 

653625/2021 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS vs. GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC. 

Motion No. 047 048 

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Page 2 of 6 

[* 2]
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1359 

INDEX NO. 653625/2021 

RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/29/2024 

828,830,831,832,834,835,840,841,849,850,851,852,855,992,993, 1003, 1004, 1141, 

1142, 1143, 1144, 1145, 1146, 1147, 1148, 1149, 1150, 1151, 1152, 1154, 1155, 1156, 1157, 

1158, 1159, 1160, 1161, 1162, 1163, 1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1170, 1174, 1176, 

1177, 1178, 1179, 1180, 1181, 1182, 1183, 1184, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1191, 1192, 1193, 

1196, 1199, 1200, 1201, 1202, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1219, 

1220, 1222, 1223, 1224, and 1225, and finds that they comport with the applicable sealing 

standard as laid out in Mosallem, 76 AD3d at 348-350, and its progeny, in that they contain 

sensitive and confidential business and financial information. Further, these Exhibits are 

properly sealed and/or redacted to the extent they contain nonpublic information about 

confidential contracts or agreements with non-parties (Mancheski v Gabelli Grp. Capital 

Partners, 39 AD3d 499, 502 [2d Dept 2007] ["[D]isclosure could impinge on the privacy rights 

of third parties who clearly are not litigants herein[.]"]). 

However, GF' s generalized assertions of good cause for the remaining Exhibits filed as 

document numbers 760,763,764,781,798,801,817,820,826,833,842,843,846,848,997, 

1007, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1175, 1185, 1186, 1194, 1195, 1203, 1208, 1209, 1210, 1211, 1218, and 

1221 do not establish a compelling justification for the complete sealing that is proposed. While 

portions of these documents may include confidential business and financial information, the 

proposed sealing is not adequately explained or justified. Thus, GF should propose and justify 

targeted redactions that satisfy the requirements of 22 NYCRR § 216 [a] and applicable case law. 

Any subsequent motion seeking to address the above concerns should adhere to this 

Part's Sealing Practices and Procedures (see 

https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/comdiv/NY/PDFs/part3-sealing-practices.pdf), 

including the requirement to submit an affidavit based on personal knowledge attesting to the 

653625/2021 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS vs. GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC. 

Motion No. 047 048 

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Page 3 of 6 

[* 3]
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1359 

INDEX NO. 653625/2021 

RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/29/2024 

factual bases for redaction and a spreadsheet setting forth a non-conclusory good faith basis for 

each proposed redaction. 

Finally, the proposed targeted redactions of the documents filed as document numbers 

675, 710, 996, 1140, 1153, and 1217 do not meet the Mosallem standard and should be unsealed. 

Accordingly, it is 

ORDERED that the motions to seal/redact the Exhibits are granted insofar as they seek 

to seal the documents filed as NYSCEF Document Numbers 688, 689, 706, 714, 715, 717, 726, 

730,779,784,785,787,788,789,790,791,792,793,815,827,831,832,855, 1143, 1144, 

1151, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1162, 1163, 1174, 1176, 1177, 1178, 1179, 1180, 1181, 1182, 1183, 

1184, 1192, 1196, 1201, 1202, and 1216; it is further 

ORDERED that the motions to seal/redact the Exhibits are granted insofar as they seek 

to redact confidential portions of the documents filed as NYSCEF Document Number 672, 673, 

685,687,691,693,694,695,696,705,708,711,718,719,722,724,744,745,746,749,750, 

752,755,803,804,805,806,811,816,828,830,834,835,840,841,849,850,851,852,992, 

993, 1003, 1004, 1141, 1142, 1145, 1146, 1147, 1148, 1149, 1150, 1152, 1154, 1158, 1159, 

1160, 1161, 1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1170, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1191, 1193, 

1199, 1200, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1219, 1220, 1222, 1223, 1224,and 

1225; it is further 

ORDERED that the motions to seal/redact the Exhibits are denied as to the document 

filed as NYSCEF Document Number 760, 763, 764, 781, 798, 801, 817, 820, 826, 833, 842, 843, 

846, 848, 997, 1007, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1175, 1185, 1186, 1194, 1195, 1203, 1208, 1209, 1210, 

1211, 1218, and 1221, without prejudice to filing a new motion within 21 days to redact 

653625/2021 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS vs. GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC. 

Motion No. 047 048 

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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1359 

INDEX NO. 653625/2021 

RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/29/2024 

confidential portions of the remaining Exhibits consistent with this Decision and Order and 

applicable case law; it is further 

ORDERED that the County Clerk shall maintain the documents filed as NYSCEF 

Document Numbers 672, 673, 685, 687, 688, 689, 691, 693, 694, 695, 696, 705, 706, 708, 711, 

714,715,717,718,719,722,724,726,730,744,745,746,749,750,752,755,779,784,785, 

787,788,789,790,791,792,793,803,804,805,806,811,815,816,827,828,830,831,832, 

834,835,840,841,849,850,851,852,855,992,993, 1003, 1004, 1141, 1142, 1143, 1144, 

1145, 1146, 1147, 1148, 1149, 1150, 1151, 1152, 1154, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1160, 

1161, 1162, 1163, 1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1170, 1174, 1176, 1177, 1178, 1179, 

1180, 1181, 1182, 1183, 1184, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1191, 1192, 1193, 1196, 1199, 1200, 

1201, 1202, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1219, 1220, 1222, 1223, 

1224, and 1225 under seal, so that the documents may be accessible by the parties, their counsel, 

and authorized court personnel; it is further 

ORDERED that the document filed as NYSCEF Document Number 760, 763, 764, 781, 

798,801,817,820,826,833,842,843,846,848,997, 1007, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1175, 1185, 

1186, 1194, 1195, 1203, 1208, 1209, 1210, 1211, 1218, and 1221 shall remain provisionally 

sealed for 21 days from the date of the Court's entry of this Decision and Order on NYSCEF. If 

any party files a new motion to redact/seal confidential portions of the document consistent with 

this Decision and Order within that 21-day period, the document shall remain provisionally 

sealed pending resolution of that motion. If no such motion is filed within 21 days from the 

entry of this Decision and Order, the parties shall alert the County Clerk that the motion to seal 

the above-referenced documents has been denied by the Court and that the documents should be 

unsealed on NYSCEF; it is further 

653625/2021 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS vs. GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC. 

Motion No. 047 048 

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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1359 

INDEX NO. 653625/2021 

RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/29/2024 

ORDERED that the County Clerk shall unseal the documents filed to the docket as 

NYSCEF Document Numbers 675, 710, 996, 1140, 1153, and 1217; it is further 

ORDERED that, to the extent they have not already done so, the parties shall upload 

redacted copies to NYSCEF of the documents filed at NYSCEF Document Numbers 672,673, 

685,687,691,693,694,695,696,705,708,711,718,719,722,724,744,745,746,749,750, 

752,755,803,804,805,806,811,816,828,830,834,835,840,841,849,850,851,852,992, 

993, 1003, 1004, 1141, 1142, 1145, 1146, 1147, 1148, 1149, 1150, 1152, 1154, 1158, 1159, 

1160, 1161, 1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1170, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1191, 1193, 

1199, 1200, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1219, 1220, 1222, 1223, 1224,and 

1225; it is further 

ORDERED that nothing in this Decision and Order shall be construed as sealing 

documents or testimony to be admitted at trial; it is further 

ORDERED that, as it relates to future submissions that contain subject matter that the 

court has authorized to be sealed by this Decision and Order which are made by any party, the 

parties may file a ioint stipulation, to be So Ordered, which will authorize the filing of such 

future submissions to be filed in sealed and/or redacted form on NYSCEF, provided that an 

unredacted copy of any document is contemporaneously filed with a request to seal. 

This constitutes the Decision and Order of the Court. 

3/29/2024 

DATE JOEL M. COHEN, J.S.C. 

CHECK ONE: 

APPLICATION: 

CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: 

~ CASE DISPOSED 

GRANTED □ DENIED 

SETTLE ORDER 

INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN 

NON-FINAL DISPOSITION 

GRANTED IN PART 

SUBMIT ORDER 

FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT 

653625/2021 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS vs. GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC. 

Motion No. 047 048 

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□ OTHER 

□ REFERENCE 

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