Opinion ID: 2812632
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reputational Interests

Text: Apple next argues that ATTM is a required party because this action may affect ATTM’s business or reputational interests. This argument is similarly without merit. We are aware of no cases holding that a joint tortfeasor’s reputational interests alone may make it a required party under Rule 19(a). A joint tortfeasor’s reputation generally will be adversely impacted in any case accusing it of wrongdoing. For this reason, recognizing a protected interest in business reputation would significantly erode the general rule that a plaintiff need not join all joint tortfeasors in one action. Recognizing such an interest would also conflict with our precedents holding that a protected interest under Rule 19 “must be more than a financial stake,” Cachil Dehe Band, 547 F.3d at 970 (quoting Makah, 910 F.2d at 558). We conclude that ATTM’s reputational interests in this action are not legally protected under Rule 19.