throbber
Bittman, Scott
`
`From:
`Sent:
`To:
`Cc:
`Subject:
`
`Lindsay, Jonathan
`Thursday, September 19, 2013 5:24 PM
`Sean Luner; Wieland III, Charles (charles.wieland@bipc.com)
`Rick Lyon; Scheer, Michael J.; Dunham, Thomas M.; AV1-PRPS
`RE: IPR2013-00071 - Network-1's Discovery Obligations
`
`Sean, Chad
`
`As we previously stated, we reject Network-1’s attempt to impose the burden upon Avaya to identify potentially
`inconsistent documents, especially when Avaya cannot access documents in Network-1’s (and its expert’s)
`possession, custody, or control. Consistent with Network-1’s duty of candor to the PTO, and its discovery
`obligations to the Board, it is Network-1’s responsibility to produce any documents that contain inconsistent
`information, whether or not Avaya can or does identify them.
`
`With respect to your characterization of our July conversation, you had represented to us that Network-1 had
`fulfilled its “routine discovery” obligations at that time. Since making that representation, however, Network-1 has
`now taken many more positions including in its Response, Motion to Amend, and Expert declaration. Accordingly,
`documents that may not have contained “inconsistent information” before, may do so now. This is why we begin
`our email below with the introduction of “In view of Network-1’s Response and Motion to Amend . . . .”
`
`That said, if your position is that that Network-1, its attorneys, Dr. Knox, Mr. Horowitz, and the inventors, have
`produced all documents in their possession, custody, or control that include any information “that is inconsistent
`with a position advanced by [Network-1]” in this Proceeding, even in view of Network-1’s Response and Motion to
`Amend, then you should confirm that position in writing.
`
`Concerning your suggestion to obtain a protective order in this IPR to protect any confidential documents,
`Network-1 has been free to approach the Board for a protective order at any point before the filing of Network-1’s
`Response and Motion to Amend, or even during the last six weeks following their filing. In any event, such
`documents would have been due “concurrent[ly] with the filing of the documents or things that contains the
`inconsistency,” which in this Proceeding includes at least the Preliminary Response, Response, and Motion to
`Amend. 37 CFR § 42.51(b)(1)(iii). Consistent with the position that we have taken throughout this proceeding,
`Avaya would not oppose Network-1 approaching the Board for a protective order, even at this late date, in order to
`comply with its discovery obligations. We are generally available tomorrow or next week (other than during Dr.
`Knox’s deposition) for such a call with the Board.
`
`With respect to your offer to produce non-confidential documents, we expect that Network-1 will promptly
`produce any non-confidential documents produced, generated, filed, submitted, or otherwise disseminated by any
`party (including Network-1, the defendants, and third parties) that contain any information “that is inconsistent
`with a position advanced by [Network-1]” in this Proceeding. Again, however, if Network-1’s position is that there
`are no such documents, even in view of Network-1’s Response and Motion to Amend, then you should confirm
`that position in writing.
`
`Regards,
`
`Jonathan
`
`
`From: Sean Luner [mailto:sean@dovellaw.com]
`Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 8:50 AM
`To: Lindsay, Jonathan
`
`1
`
`AVAYA INC. AV-1048 IPR2013-00071
`Avaya Inc. v. Network-1 Security Solutions, Inc.
`
`

`

`Cc: Wieland III, Charles (charles.wieland@bipc.com); Rick Lyon
`Subject: FW: IPR2013-00071 - Network-1's Discovery Obligations
`
`Jonathan,
`
` I
`
` am following up on my voicemail from yesterday and your e-mail to Chad (below).
`
`After your June 26, 2013 e-mail (referenced below), on July 1, 2013, we discussed your concerns relating to Network-1’s
`production. Based on our discussion, Avaya was going to identify specific documents that you wanted Network-1 to
`produce in this IPR proceeding and we were going to develop an approach to get you access to such documents
`(including confidential documents). We have been waiting for you to identify these documents. As a result, we were
`surprised by your recent e-mail.
`
`We are willing to work with you to develop a strategy that will allow us to provide you with any non-privileged
`documents, including confidential documents, that you would like, whether or not they are required discovery. While
`the approach that you outlined below (i.e., simply moving to modify the Protective Orders issued in all of the prior
`litigations) will not work for various reasons, we can evaluate other alternatives including requesting the Board to issue a
`Protective Order in this IPR proceeding and jointly requesting third-parties to allow you to access such
`documents. Because IPR proceedings are a new procedure and there has not been any guidance on the issue of
`producing confidential documents from prior litigations, we may need to be creative in developing the right approach.
`
`Please coordinate with Rick Lyon from our office (copied). Together you should be able to develop an approach that will
`provide you with any documents that you would like without violating Protective Orders and the rights of third-
`parties. In the meantime, if you are interested in receiving all non-confidential documents produced by Network-1 in
`the prior litigations, let us know and we can provide them to you.
`
`As always, thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
`
`Sean
`
`
`
`From: Lindsay, Jonathan [mailto:JLindsay@crowell.com]
`Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 4:45 PM
`To: Wieland III, Charles; Mukai, Robert
`Cc: AV1-PRPS
`Subject: IPR2013-00071 - Network-1's Discovery Obligations
`
`Chad,
`
`In view of Network-1’s Response and Motion to Amend, we are writing to follow up on our June 26, 2013 email
`regarding Network-1’s discovery obligations in this Proceeding. As you know, Network-1 is required to produce all
`“relevant information that is inconsistent with a position advanced by the party during the proceeding concurrent with
`the filing of the documents or things that contains the inconsistency.” 37 CFR § 42.51(b)(1)(iii).
`
`
`I.
`
`Network-1 Undoubtedly Has Relevant Information that is Inconsistent with Positions it has Advanced, and it
`Has Refused to Produce Such Information
`
`The only documents that Network-1 has produced to date consist of (i) public pleadings from prior litigations and (ii) one
`email that was an exhibit in the Cisco litigation (which we specifically requested after identifying it as being relevant
`from the trial transcript). Yet, Network-1, its attorneys, Mr. Horowitz, and Dr. Knox, have all been involved in a series of
`litigations involving the ’930 patent, and it is inconceivable that there are no other documents that are “inconsistent
`with a position” advanced by Network-1 in this Proceeding. Indeed, based on the public record, it appears that Dr. Knox
`served as both a non-infringement and invalidity expert in the Cisco litigation. As you know, we do not have access to
`
`2
`
`

`

`any of Dr. Knox’s expert reports from the Cisco litigation, and you have not produced any. Nor have you produced any
`expert reports of the other defendants, which presumably would rebut and/or be inconsistent with Dr. Knox’s
`opinions. We note that the IPR Rules do not limit the production of inconsistent positions to those taken by or authored
`by Network-1.
`
`Similarly, Network-1 asserts that Secondary Considerations support the non-obviousness of the challenged claims. (See
`Response, at 53-58). Yet, Network-1 has only identified pieces of evidence that it alleges supports its position. Avaya
`believes that, especially since invalidity under 35 U.S.C. § 103 was an issue in the prior litigations, there should be
`documents and information that are inconsistent with Network-1’s position. For example, in addition to the expert
`reports noted above, the prior litigations likely have involved evidence cited in those reports, discovery, and briefing on
`the issue.
`
`
`II.
`
`It Would Not be Unduly Burdensome for Network-1 to Identify and Produce Documents that Avaya Seeks
`
`We also disagree with Network-1’s previously-stated position that it has no obligation to search documents from the
`prior cases because of the large volume of documents that exist and that it is incumbent upon Avaya to specifically
`identify potentially inconsistent documents. That burden shifting is inconsistent with the Rules and, frankly, an
`impossibility given that Avaya has no way of knowing what documents that Network-1 has in its possession, custody, or
`control. Moreover, these documents were all generated during the course of litigation and the Dovel & Luner firm – the
`same firm that is counsel of record in this Proceeding – was counsel of record in the prior litigations. Thus, we find that
`Network-1’s position lacks credibility.
`
`
`III.
`
`Network-1 Cannot Refuse to Produce Based on Confidentiality Grounds
`
`Furthermore, Mr. Luner has previously taken the position that a protective order from the prior case would likely
`prohibit the production of relevant documents in this Proceeding. Again, however, consistent with Network-1’s “duty of
`disclosure” to the PTO, and the rules of this Proceedings, it is Network-1’s responsibility to obtain relief from any such
`prior protective order. Paragraph 21 of the Protective Order from the Cisco litigation specifically authorizes Network-1
`to seek such relief:
`
`
`21. This Protective Order shall not prevent the parties from applying to the Court for
`relief therefrom or modification thereto, or from applying to the Court for further or
`additional relief by way of protective orders or otherwise, or from agreeing between
`themselves to modifications of this Protective Order.
`
`
`(Doc. 107, p. 18). Simply put, it is improper for Network-1 to refuse to produce based on confidentiality
`grounds. Network-1 withholding material information during this Proceeding could constitute inequitable conduct that
`renders the ’930 patent unenforceable in the underlying district court litigation. If Network-1 has confidentiality
`concerns in this Proceeding, the IPR rules allow Network-1 to seek an appropriate Protective Order to protect any such
`information.
`
`Please provide a written response to this email by no later than September 17, 2013 that: (1) indicates when Network-1
`will produce additional documents, along with an explanation as to why the documents have not previously been
`produced, (2) confirms that Network-1, its attorneys, Dr. Knox, Mr. Horowitz, and the inventors, have produced all
`documents in their possession, custody, or control that include any information “that is inconsistent with a position
`advanced by [Network-1]” in this Proceeding, (3) confirms that Network-1 is searching documents produced, generated,
`and advocated by other parties (including the defendants in the prior litigations) and (4) explains the steps taken to
`locate inconsistent documents.
`
`Regards,
`
`Jonathan
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`
`
`Jonathan Lindsay
`Crowell & Moring LLP
`3 Park Plaza, 20th Floor
`Irvine, CA 92614
`p 949.263.8400 | f 949.263.8414 | JLindsay@Crowell.com
`
`The information contained in this e-mail and any attachment may be privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure and is
`intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s). It is not intended for transmission to, or receipt by, any unauthorized person. The
`use, distribution, transmittal or re-transmittal by an unintended recipient of this communication is strictly prohibited without our express
`written approval. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, please delete it from your system without copying it and notify the
`above sender. Receipt by anyone other than the intended recipient is not a waiver of any attorney-client, work-product, or other privilege.
`
`
`TAX ADVICE DISCLAIMER: Any federal tax advice contained in this communication (including attachments) was not intended or written to be used, and
`it cannot be used, by you for the purpose of (1) avoiding any penalty that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service or (2) promoting, marketing
`or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. If you would like such advice, please contact us.
`
`
`
`
`
`Above email is for intended recipient only and may be confidential and protected by attorney/client privilege.
`
`If you are not the intended recipient, please advise the sender immediately.
`
`Unauthorized use or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
`
`
`
`4
`
`

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket