throbber
1
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
`
`
`IN RE: APPLE INC. SMARTPHONE
`ANTITRUST LITIGATION
`
`
`This Document Relates to:
`ALL ACTIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`Case No. 2:24-md-03113 (JXN) (LDW)
`DISCOVERY CONFIDENTIALITY ORDER
`In the interests of (1) ensuring efficient and prompt resolution of this Action; (2) facilitating
`discovery by the Parties litigating this Action; and (3) protecting confidential information from
`improper disclosure or use, the Court, upon good cause shown and pursuant to Federal Rule of
`Civil Procedure 26(c)(1), ORDERS as follows:
`1. The parties acknowledge that this Order does not confer blanket protections on all
`disclosures during discovery, or in the course of making initial or supplemental disclosures under
`Rule 26(a). Designations by any Producing Party under this Order shall be made with care and
`shall not be made absent a good faith belief that the designated material satisfies the criteria set
`forth below. If it comes to a Producing Party’s attention that designated material does not qualify
`for protection at all, or does not qualify for the level of protection initially asserted, the Producing
`Party must promptly notify all other Parties that it is withdrawing or changing the designation.
`This Order is identical to the Order entered by the Court in United States v. Apple Inc., Case No.
`2:24-cv-04055 (JXN) (LDW) (“the Government Action”), pending in this Court ( see Dkt. 235
`from the Government Action), except for certain modifications below.
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 1 of 34 PageID:
`2530
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`A. Definitions
`2. As used herein for purposes of this Order only:
`
`(a) “Action” means the above- captioned action pending in this Court, including any
`related discovery, pre-trial, trial, post-trial, or appellate proceedings.
`(b) “Business Decisions” means decisions relating to a competitor, potential
`competitor, customer, or distribution partner including decisions regarding contracts, marketing,
`pricing, product or service development or design, product or service offerings, research and
`development, mergers and acquisitions, or licensing, acquisition, or enforcement of intellectual
`property rights. It does not include the rendering of legal advice in connection with litigation,
`compliance, regulatory, or liability issues related to business decisions.
`(c) [Omitted].
`(d) “Confidential” or “Confidential Information” means any information, document, or
`thing, or portion of any document or thing, produced in any Investigation Materials or Litigation
`Materials that contains (a) Personal Information; or (b) confidential research or commercial
`information. Provided, however, that any portion of any Investigation Materials or Litigation
`Materials, except for Personal Information, that has been published or otherwise made publicly
`available is not Confidential Information.
`(e) “Defendant” or “Apple” means Apple Inc. and its employees, agents,
`representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, and assigns.
`(f) “Designated In-House Attorneys” means no more than four (4) attorneys employed
`by Apple who can access Highly Confidential Information provided that they are not currently
`involved in Business Decisions and whose names, titles, and department are disclosed to Plaintiffs
`and Intervening Non- Parties at least ten (10) business days prior to the effective date of
`designation, and who are agreed upon by the Parties and Intervening Non-Parties or (in the absence
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 2 of 34 PageID:
`2531
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`of an agreement) designated by the Court. To the extent Apple seeks to replace a Designated In-
`House Attorney, Apple must provide notice to Plaintiffs and Intervening Non-Parties at least ten
`
`(10) business days prior to the desired effective date of such change, and the replacement must be
`agreed upon by the Parties and Intervening Non -Parties or (in the absence of an agreement)
`designated by the Court. Designation of Apple’s Designated In-House Attorneys to any Producing
`Party that is not a Party or an Intervening Non- Party will be made at least ten (10) business days
`prior to the disclosure of any Highly Confidential Information. An individual who has served as a
`Designated In-House Attorney shall not—for a period of two years following the last occasion on
`which Highly Confidential Information is disclosed to such Designated In -House Attorney—(a)
`participate in or advise on Business Decisions at the Defendant, (b) participate in or advise on
`Business Decisions involving a Protected Person whose Highly Confidential Information they
`accessed during the course of this Action at any employer, or (c) participate in or advise on
`litigation or other legal actions on behalf of Defendant or any other employer where a Protected
`Person is a party and whose Highly Confidential Information the Designated In- House Attorney
`accessed in the course of this Action (aside from litigation arising from or related to the allegations
`in the Complaint in this Action). Any attorney subject to this subsection who leaves the
`employment of Defendant to work in an unrelated industry shall be presumed to be exempt from
`the post -employment limits of this provision absent a showing by Plaintiffs or any interested
`Protected Person that such a person engaged in Business Decision-making.
`(g) “Disclosed” means shown, divulged, revealed, produced, described, transmitted, or
`otherwise communicated, in whole or in part.
`(h) “Document” means any document or electronically stored information, as the term
`is used in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 34(a).
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 3 of 34 PageID:
`2532
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`(i) “Highly Confidential” or “Highly Confidential Information” means any
`information that is extremely confidential and/or sensitive in nature and the Producing Party
`reasonably believes the disclosure of which is likely to cause economic harm or competitive
`disadvantage to the Producing Party. The Parties agree that the following information, if non-
`public, shall be presumed to merit the Highly Confidential designation: trade secrets, pricing
`information, financial data, sales information, sales or marketing forecasts or plans, business plans,
`sales or marketing strategy, product development information, engineering documents, testing
`documents, employee information, and other non- public information of similar competitive and
`business sensitivity.
`(j) “Highly Confidential – Outside Counsel Only” or “Highly Confidential
`Information – Outside Counsel Only” means any Highly Confidential Information that the
`Producing Party reasonably believes the disclosure of which to Defendant’s personnel (including
`its officers, directors, executives, employees, or in- house attorneys) is likely to cause economic
`harm or competitive disadvantage to the Producing Party.
`(k) “In-House Attorneys” means any attorney employed by the Defendant.
`
`(l) “Intervening Non- Party” or “Intervening Non- Parties” means one the following
`Non-Parties: Capital One Financial Corporation; Garmin International, Inc.; Google LLC;
`JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.; Match Group, Inc.; Meta Platforms, Inc.; Microsoft Corp.; PayPal,
`Inc.; and Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
`(m) “Investigation” means any pre -complaint review, assessment, or investigation of
`the matters at issue in the Government Action by the United States or Plaintiff States.
`(n) “Investigation Material” or “Investigation Materials” means non- privileged
`documents, data, communications, transcripts of testimony, or other materials relating to the
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 4 of 34 PageID:
`2533
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5
`Investigation, including but not limited to documents or information provided pursuant to the
`Antitrust Civil Process Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1311-14 or any State equivalent CID process that prior
`to the filing of the Government Action (a) any Non-Party to the Government Action provided to
`any party to the Government Action; (b) any party to the Government Action provided to any
`Non-Party to the Government Action; or (c) any party to the Government Action provided to any
`party of the Government Action.
`(o) “Litigation Material” or “Litigation Materials” means non -privileged documents,
`data, communications, testimony, or other materials relating to this Action that, after the filing of
`and during the pendency of this Action, (a) any Non-Party provides to any Party, either voluntarily
`or under compulsory process; (b) any Party provides to any Non- Party; or (c) any Party provides
`to any Party.
`(p) “Non-Party” means any natural person, partnership, corporation, association, or
`other legal entity not named as a Party to this Action.
`(q) “Outside Counsel” means the law firm(s) who represent or are retained by the
`Parties, including any attorneys, paralegals, and other professional personnel (including support
`and IT staff), agents, or independent contractors retained by a Party that such law firm(s) assign(s).
`(r) “Party” or “Parties” means any individual Plaintiff or any Defendant in the above-
`captioned action, or Plaintiffs and Defendants collectively.
`(s) “Person” means any natural person, corporate entity, partnership, association, joint
`venture, governmental entity, or trust.
`(t) “Personal Information” means a natural person’s non- public personal identifiable
`information that is linked or reasonably linkable to an identified or identifiable natural person,
`including, but not limited to, Social Security number; driver’s license number, or state or federal
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 5 of 34 PageID:
`2534
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6
`government identification number, or foreign country equivalent identification number; passport
`number; financial account number; credit or debit card number; email address; name, address, or
`phone number in combination with other personal identifiable information; sensitive personal
`information regarding genetic or biometric data, precise geolocation data, financial information or
`transactions, medical or health history and records, and criminal or employment history; and any
`other protected personal information subject to non- disclosure obligations imposed by
`governmental authorities, law, or regulation.
`(u) “Plaintiff State” means State of New Jersey, State of Arizona, State of California,
`District of Columbia, State of Connecticut, State of Indiana, State of Maine, Commonwealth of
`Massachusetts, State of Michigan, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of New Hampshire,
`State of New York, State of North Dakota, State of Oklahoma, State of Oregon, State of Tennessee,
`State of Vermont, State of Washington, and State of Wisconsin acting by and through their
`respective Attorneys General, or any other State acting by and through their respective Attorneys
`General which joins the Government Action. “Plaintiff States” means collectively all Plaintiff
`States in the Government Action.
`(v) “Producing Party” means any Party or Non -Party that discloses or produces or
`reproduces any Investigation Materials or Litigation Materials in this Action.
`(w) “Protected Material” means any Investigation Material or Litigation Material that
`is designated as “Confidential,” “Highly Confidential,” or “Highly Confidential – Outside Counsel
`Only,” as provided for in this Order. Protected Material shall not include: (i) advertising materials
`that have been actually published or publicly disseminated; and (ii) materials that show on their
`face they have been disseminated to the public.
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 6 of 34 PageID:
`2535
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7
`(x) “Protected Person” means any Person (including any Party or Non- Party) that has
`provided Investigation Materials or that provides Litigation Materials in this Action.
`(y) “Receiving Party” means any Party or Non-Party who receives Investigation
`Materials or Litigation Materials from a Producing Party.
`B. Computing Time
`3. Unless otherwise specified, time will be computed according to Federal Rule of
`Civil Procedure 6(a).
`C. Notice to Non-Party Protected Persons of the Terms of This Order
`4. [Omitted].
`
`5. Any Party that seeks discovery from a Non -Party Protected Person for use in this
`Action must include a copy of this Order when serving a discovery request or subpoena on the
`Non-Party Protected Person. If any Party sent a discovery request or subpoena to any Non -Party
`Protected Person prior to entry of this Order, that Party must send a copy of this Order to the Non-
`Party Protected Person within two (2) business days of entry of this Order.
`D. Modifications of This Order
`6. If a Non -Party Protected Person determines that this Order does not adequately
`protect its Protected Material, it may seek additional protection from the Court for its Protected
`Material within fourteen (14) days after receiving notice of this Order under Paragraphs 4 or 5 by
`filing a letter application pursuant to Local Civil Rule 37.1(a)(1). If a Non-Party Protected Person
`timely seeks additional protection from the Court, a Party’s obligation to produce that Non- Party
`Protected Person’s documents containing Protected Material, that is the subject of the application,
`is suspended until a decision is rendered by the Court, unless the Non-Party Protected Person who
`filed the application and the Parties reach an agreement allowing production of the Protected
`Material while the application is pending. If the Court orders the production of the non- Party
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 7 of 34 PageID:
`2536
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`8
`Protected Person’s documents, the Party obligated to produce the Non -Party Protected Person’s
`Protected Material will have seven (7) days to make the production unless a longer period is
`ordered by the Court.
`7. Nothing in this Order limits any Person, including members of the public, a Party,
`or a Non-Party Protected Person, from seeking additional protection or modification of this Order
`upon an application duly made according to Rule 37.1 of the Local Rules of this Court, including,
`without limitation, an order that certain information need not be produced at all or is not admissible
`evidence in this Action or any other proceeding. By stipulating to this Order, the Parties do not
`waive the right to argue that certain material may require additional or different confidentiality
`protections than those set forth herein.
`E. Designation of Protected Material in Investigation Materials
`8. Any Investigation Materials that Apple previously provided to the United States or
`any Plaintiff State during an Investigation that Apple designated as Protected Material or for which
`Apple requested protected or confidential treatment, including, but not limited to, testimony,
`documents, electronic documents and data, and materials produced pursuant to the Antitrust Civil
`Process Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1311- 14, will be treated as containing Confidential Information, or as
`Highly Confidential if previously designated by Apple.
`9. A Non-Party Protected Person shall have sixty (60) days after receiving a copy of
`this Order (the “Designation Period”) to designate as Highly Confidential Information or Highly
`Confidential Information – Outside Counsel Only any Investigation Materials to the extent the
`Non-Party Protected Person determines, in good faith, that the Investigation Materials include
`Highly Confidential Information or Highly Confidential Information – Outside Counsel Only, and
`that such designation is necessary to protect the interests of the Non-Party Protected Person. Such
`Investigation Materials, including but not limited to testimony, documents, electronic documents
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 8 of 34 PageID:
`2537
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9
`and data, and materials produced pursuant to the Antitrust Civil Process Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1311-
`14, or any State equivalent process, may be so designated by providing written notice by overnight
`mail or email to the Party to which the Investigation Materials were produced and providing a
`reproduction of the Investigation Materials stamped with the legend “HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL
`INFORMATION” or “HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION – OUTSIDE COUNSEL
`ONLY,” in a manner that will not interfere with legibility, including page numbering, or
`auditability.
`10. Until the expiration of the Designation Period, all Investigation Materials produced
`by a Non- Party Protected Person will be treated as Highly Confidential Information – Outside
`Counsel Only in their entirety. Investigation Materials previously produced by a Non -Party
`Protected Person that are not designated as Highly Confidential or Highly Confidential
`Information – Outside Counsel Only by the expiration of the Designation Period shall be treated
`as Confidential Information for purposes of this Order, whether or not the Non- Party Protected
`Person requested confidential treatment at the time of production.
`F. Designation of Protected Material in Litigation Materials
`11. The following procedures govern the process for all Protected Persons (including
`any Party or Non-Party) to designate as Protected Material any Litigation Materials, including but
`not limited to information provided in response to requests under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
`30, 31, 33, 36, or 45, and documents disclosed in response to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
`33(d), 34(b)(2) and (c), or 45.
`12. Any Producing Party may designate Litigation Material with any of the following
`designations, provided that it meets the requirements for such designations as provided for herein:
`“Confidential,” “Highly Confidential,” or “Highly Confidential – Outside Counsel Only.”
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 9 of 34 PageID:
`2538
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`13. Any production or designation of Protected Material or other written notice to the
`Parties required by this Order must be provided by email to all counsel for Plaintiffs (using the
`listserv AppleAllPlaintiffs@lists.locklaw.com) and to all counsel for Apple (using the listserv
`Apple-SmartphoneMDL-External@gibsondunn.com).
`14. Testimony. All transcripts of depositions taken in this Action will be treated as
`
`Highly Confidential – Outside Counsel Only in their entirety for thirty (30) days after the date
`when a complete and final copy of the transcript has been made available to the deponent (or the
`deponent’s counsel, if applicable). Within two (2) business days of receipt of the final transcript,
`the Party who noticed the deposition must provide the final transcript to the deponent (or the
`deponent’s counsel, if applicable). Within thirty (30) days following receipt of the final transcript,
`the deponent (or the deponent’s counsel, if applicable) may designate as Confidential, Highly
`Confidential, or Highly Confidential – Outside Counsel Only, as appropriate, any portion(s) of the
`deposition transcript, by page(s) and line(s), and any deposition exhibits, or portion(s) of any
`exhibit(s), that were produced by the deponent or the deponent’s employer or former employer.
`When a Party questions a deponent about Investigation Material or Litigation Material that has
`been designated by a Non-Party Protected Person as containing Confidential Information, Highly
`Confidential Information or Highly Confidential Information – Outside Counsel Only, the Party
`asking the questions must designate as Confidential, Highly Confidential, or Highly Confidential
`– Outside Counsel Only the portion(s) of the transcript relating to that designated Investigation
`Material or Litigation Material within thirty (30) days following receipt of the final transcript. To
`be effective, designations must be provided in writing to the Parties’ counsel listed in Paragraph
`13 of this Order.
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 10 of 34 PageID:
`2539
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`11
`Any portion(s) of a transcript or deposition exhibit(s) not so designated pursuant to this
`Paragraph 14 shall be treated as Confidential Information, even if the document(s) that become the
`deposition exhibit(s) or information that is the subject of deposition testimony was subject to a
`prior higher designation of confidentiality. Any Protected Material that is used in the taking of a
`deposition shall remain subject to the provisions of this Protective Order. In such cases, the court
`reporter shall be informed of this Protective Order and shall be required to operate in a manner
`consistent with this Protective Order.
`In the event the deposition is videotaped, the original and all copies shall be marked by
`the video technicians to indicate that the contents are subject to this Protective Order, substantially
`along the lines of “This recording contains confidential testimony used in this case and is not to
`be viewed or the contents thereof to be displayed or revealed except pursuant to the terms of the
`operative Protective Order in this matter or pursuant to written stipulation of the parties.”
`Counsel for any Producing Party whose Protected Material is the subject of examination
`shall have the right to exclude from oral depositions, other than the deponent, deponent’s counsel,
`the reporter, and videographer (if any), any person that is not authorized by this Protective Order
`to receive or access Protected Material based on the designation of such Protected Material. Such
`right of exclusion shall be applicable only during the periods of examination or testimony
`regarding such Protected Material.
`15. Documents Produced in Native Format. When a Protected Person produces
`
`electronically stored files or documents in native electronic file format, such electronic files and
`documents shall be designated by the Protected Person under this Order by (a) appending the suffix
`“Confidential,” “Highly Confidential,” or “Highly Confidential – Outside Counsel Only,” to the
`file name or document production number, or (b) including the appropriate confidentiality
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 11 of 34 PageID:
`2540
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`12
`designation in reasonably accessible metadata associated with the file. When documents that were
`produced in native file format are printed for use during a deposition, for a court proceeding, or
`for disclosure to any Person described in Paragraphs 22, 23, and 24, the Party printing the file must
`affix to the printed version a label containing the production number and the designation associated
`with the document. No one shall seek to use in this Action a .tiff, .pdf, or other image format
`version of a document produced in native file format without first: (a) providing a copy of the
`image format version to the Producing Party so that the Producing Party can review the image to
`ensure that no information has been altered; and (b) obtaining the consent of the Producing Party,
`which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
`16. Written Discovery and Documents and Data Produced in Hard Copy or Non-Native
`
`Format. Written discovery, documents (which include “electronically stored information,” as that
`
`phrase is used in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 34(a)), and tangible things that meet the
`requirements for the confidentiality designations listed in Paragraph 2 may be so designated by
`stamping or otherwise marking each page or image with the appropriate designation in a manner
`that will not interfere with legibility. For digital files being produced, the Producing Party may
`mark each viewable page or image with the appropriate designation, and mark the medium,
`container, and/or communication in which the digital files were contained. In the event original
`documents are produced for inspection, the original documents shall be presumed “Highly
`Confidential – Outside Counsel Only” during the inspection and re -designated as appropriate
`during the copying process.
`G. Source Code
`17. The Parties acknowledge that if any Party produces Source Code in this Action, the
`disclosure of such Source Code to another Party or Non- Party may create a substantial risk of
`serious harm. Any production of Source Code by any Party in this Action shall be governed by
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 12 of 34 PageID:
`2541
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`13
`the Stipulated Protective Order Governing, Review, Production, and Handling of Source Code in
`this Action. If any Non-Party produces Source Code, Source Code produced by a Non-Party will
`be subject to separate negotiations and Court order.
`H. Challenges to Confidentiality Designations
`18. Any Party who objects to any designation of confidentiality (the “Objecting Party”)
`may challenge a designation of confidentiality at any time before the trial of this Action by
`providing written notice to the Producing Party and to all Parties identifying the challenged
`designation and stating with particularity the grounds for the objection.
`19. Within fourteen (14) days of the Objecting Party’s written notice, the Parties and
`the Producing Party shall meet and confer in good faith to discuss their respective positions. If the
`Parties and the Producing Party cannot reach agreement on an objection to a designation of
`confidentiality within fourteen (14) days of the Objecting Party’s written notice, the Objecting
`Party may address this dispute to the Court no later than twenty-eight (28) days from the Objecting
`Party’s written notice by submitting a letter to the Magistrate Judge, or requesting a telephone
`conference with the Magistrate Judge, to present the challenge. Formal motions to resolve disputes
`over confidentiality shall not be filed without prior leave from the Magistrate Judge. If the
`Objecting Party fails to address this dispute with the Court within twenty-eight (28) days from the
`Objecting Party’s written notice, the challenge will be considered rescinded.
`20. Notwithstanding any challenge to a designation, the Protected Material in question
`shall continue to be treated as designated under this Order until one of the following occurs: (a) the
`Party who designated the Protected Material in question withdraws such designation in writing; or
`(b) the Court rules that the Protected Material in question is not entitled to the designation.
`
`21. This Order does not: preclude or prejudice a Protected Person or a Party from
`arguing for or against any confidentiality designation, establish any presumption that a particular
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 13 of 34 PageID:
`2542
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`14
`confidentiality designation is valid, or alter the burden of proof that would otherwise apply in a
`dispute over discovery or disclosure of information.
`I. Disclosure of Protected Material
`22. Except as provided by Paragraph 28 or pursuant to a court order, Protected
`Materials designated Confidential may be disclosed only to the following persons:
`(a) the Court and all persons assisting the Court in this Action, including Magistrate
`Judges, law clerks, court reporters, and stenographic or clerical personnel;
`(b) counsel for the United States for as long as the United States remains a plaintiff in
`the Government Action, including any attorneys, paralegals, other professional personnel
`employed by the United States (including economists, technologists, IT support, and IT staff), and
`agents or independent contractors retained by the United States to assist in this Action whose
`functions require access to the Confidential Information;
`(c) counsel for any Plaintiff State for as long as the Plaintiff State remains a plaintiff
`in the Government Action, including any attorneys, paralegals, other professional personnel
`employed by the Plaintiff State (including economists, technologists, IT support, and IT staff), and
`agents or independent contractors retained by the Plaintiff State to assist in this Action whose
`functions require access to the Confidential Information;
`(d) the Parties’ Outside Counsel in this Action, including any attorneys, paralegals,
`other professional personnel employed by the Parties’ Outside Counsel (including economists,
`technologists, IT support, and IT staff), and agents, consultants, or independent contractors
`retained by the Parties’ Outside Counsel to assist in this Action whose functions require access to
`the Confidential Information;
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 14 of 34 PageID:
`2543
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`15
`(e) Apple’s Designated In- House Attorneys to whom such disclosure is reasonably
`necessary for this Action, provided that each such person has agreed to be bound by the provisions
`of the Protective Order by signing a copy of Appendix A;
`(f) In addition to Apple’s Designated In -House Attorneys, no more than four (4) In-
`House Attorneys of Apple to whom such disclosure is reasonably necessary for this Action,
`provided that each such person has agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Protective Order
`by signing a copy of Appendix A;
`(g) No more than five (5) officers or employees of Apple who participate in decision-
`making with respect to this Action or who are persons with whom counsel finds it reasonably
`necessary to consult in the course of preparing Apple’s defense in this Action, provided that each
`such person has agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Protective Order by signing a copy of
`Appendix A. Such individuals will be disclosed to lead plaintiffs’ counsel, as appointed by the
`Court (see Dkts. 35 and 57) (“Lead Plaintiffs’ Counsel”), and Intervening Non-Parties at least ten
`(10) business days prior to the effective date of designation and agreed upon by the Parties and
`Intervening Non-Parties or (in the absence of an agreement) designated by the Court. To the extent
`Apple seeks to replace any individual designated under this provision, Apple must provide notice
`to Lead Plaintiffs’ Counsel and Intervening Non-Parties at least ten (10) business days prior to the
`desired effective date of such change, and the replacement must be agreed upon by the Parties and
`Intervening Non-Parties or (in the absence of an agreement) designated by the Court. Designation
`to any Producing Party that is not a Party or an Intervening Non-Party will be made at least ten
`(10) business days prior to the disclosure of any Confidential Information.
`Case 2:24-md-03113-JXN-LDW Document 124 Filed 10/07/25 Page 15 of 34 PageID:
`2544
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`16
`(h) an author or recipient of the document to whom disclosure of the Producing Party’s
`Protected Material is reasonably necessary, provided that they have agreed to be bound by the
`provisions of the Protective Order by signing a copy of Appendix A;
`(i) a deponent or witness in this Action who is an officer or employee of a Producing
`Party, provided that only the Protected Material of that Producing Party is disclosed, the disclosure
`is reasonably necessary, and the deponent or witness has agreed to be bound by the provisions of
`the Protective Order by signing a copy of Appendix A;
`(j) outside vendors or service providers (such as copy-service providers and document-
`management consultants) retained by a Party to assist that Party in this Action, to whom such
`disclosure is reasonably necessary, provided that (i) an authorized representative first executes an
`Agreement Concerning Confidentiality in the form attached in Appendix A, and (ii) all employees
`of such outside vendor or service provider are subject to confidentiality obligations as part of their
`employment that would maintain the protection afforded under this Order;
`(k) any special master, mediator, arbitrator, trustee, or monitor that the Parties engage
`in this Action or that this Court appoints;
`(l) any Person retained by a Party to serve as a testifying or consulting expert in this
`Action, including employees of the firm(s) with which the expert or consultant is associated and
`independent contractors who assist the expert’s work in this Action, the identity of whom needs
`not be disclosed, provided that: (i) disclosure is only to the extent necessary to perform such work;
`(ii) they first execute an Agreement Concerning Confidentiality in the form attached in Appendix
`A; and (iii) such expert or consultant is not a current officer, director, o

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