`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
`
`CHAMBERS OF
`STEPHANIE A. GALLAGHER
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
`MDD_SAGchambers@mdd.uscourts.gov
`
`101 WEST LOMBARD STREET
`BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21201
`(410) 962-7780
`
`November 25, 2020
`
`LETTER ORDER
`
`RE:
`
`Paice LLC et al v. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG et al.
`Civil No. 1:19-cv-03348-SAG
`
`Dear Counsel,
`
`I am in receipt of BMW’s Motion to Stay, ECF 94, Paice’s opposition, ECF 96, and
`BMW’s reply, ECF 97. After review of the briefing, I am of the view that a more limited stay than
`that sought by BWM is warranted. The current pandemic is creating public health dangers
`throughout the world, and countries are imposing various degrees of restriction to address the
`threat. Germany, in particular, has imposed restrictions that impede the effective conduct of
`discovery and depositions. While this case is nearing the conclusion of discovery, this Court is
`not inclined to require persons to travel from one European country to another or to jeopardize the
`health of any participants in order to adhere to the originally set schedule. For the reasons set forth
`herein, Defendants’ Motion to Stay is GRANTED IN PART.
`
`A brief stay would have the benefit of fostering compliance with all public health
`restrictions, and would also afford this Court the benefit of ascertaining the decisions the Patent
`Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) will make regarding BMW’s remaining petitions for inter
`partes review. Accordingly, this Court will stay the proceedings, from today, through February
`26, 2021. The parties are to provide a joint report, on or before that date, summarizing (1) the
`status of COVID-related restrictions in the relevant European countries and (2) any decisions
`received from the PTAB. At that time, the Court will determine whether any further stay of these
`proceedings is appropriate.
`
`Despite the informal nature of this letter, it is an Order of the Court and will be docketed
`as such.
`
`Sincerely yours,
`
`/s/
`
`Stephanie A. Gallagher
`United States District Judge
`
`BMW v. Paice, IPR2020-01299
`BMW1086
`Page 1 of 1
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`