Source: https://patentlaw.jmbm.com/2013/12/communication-that-was-busines.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 16:23:46+00:00

Document:
Flatworld Interactives (“Flatworld”) filed a patent infringement action against Apple Inc. (“Apple”). During the litigation, Apple sought the production of several documents that Flatworld claimed were protected by the attorney-client privilege and the spousal privilege.
In particular, Flatworld asserted the attorney-client privilege and the spousal privilege for certain documents. In analyzing the issue, the district court noted that “[c]ommunications that would have been made for a business purpose are not protected by the attorney-client privilege.” See McCaugherty v. Sifferman, 132 F.R.D. 234, 238 (N.D. Cal. 1990) (“No privilege can attach to any communication as to which a business purpose would have served as a sufficient cause, i.e., any communication that would have been made because of a business purpose, even if there had been no perceived additional interest in securing legal advice. Fisher et al. v. United States et al., 425 U.S. 391, 403, 96 S.Ct. 1569, 1577, 48 L.Ed.2d 39 (1975).”). The district court then concluded that one of the email chains at issue constituted a business communication and therefore, was not protected by the attorney-client privilege.
Nonetheless, the district court determined that the spousal privilege was applicable and did protect the communication at issue. The district court explained that the spousal privilege “protects from disclosure private communications between spouses.” United States v. Griffin, 440 F.3d 1138, 1143-44 (9th Cir.2006). The privilege exists “to protect the integrity of marriages and ensure that spouses freely communicate with Griffin, 440 F.3d at 1143. The Ninth Circuit has held that “[t]he privilege (1) extends to words and acts intended to be a communication; (2) requires a valid marriage; and (3) applies only to confidential communications, i.e., those not made in the presence of, or likely to be overheard by, third parties.” United States v. Montgomery, 384 F.3d 1050, 1056 (9th Cir. 2004) (citing United States v. Marashi, 913 F.2d 724, 729-30 (9th Cir.1990)). Further, the Ninth Circuit construes the spousal privilege narrowly, to promote marriage without thwarting the administration of justice. Id.; Marashi, 913 F.2d at 730.
The district court then addressed the scope of any subject matter waiver resulting from Plaintiff’s disclosure of privileged documents. “Disclosure of the content of privileged communications constitutes a waiver of the privilege as to all other communications on the same subject matter. See Weil v. Inv./Indicators, Research & Mgmt, Inc., 647 F.2d 18, 25 (9th Cir. 1981). The Ninth Circuit uses a three-pronged test to determine whether a waiver has been effected. First, the court considers whether the party is asserting the “privilege as the result of some affirmative act, such as filing suit.” Home Indem. Co. v. Lane Powell Moss & Miller, 43 F.3d 1322, 1326 (9th Cir.1995) (citing Hearn v. Rhay, 68 F.R.D. 574, 581 (E.D.Wash.1975)). Second, the court examines whether “through this affirmative act, the asserting party puts the privileged information at issue.” Id. Finally, the court evaluates whether “allowing the privilege would deny the opposing party access to information vital to its defense.” Id. In addition, under the Federal Rules, waiver “extends to an undisclosed communication or information in a federal or state proceeding only if: (1) the waiver is intentional; (2) the disclosed and undisclosed communications or information concern the same subject matter; and (3) they ought in fairness to be considered together.” Fed. R. Evid. 502(A).

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