Here is SCO's Objections to IBM's Rule 30(b)(6) Notice of Deposition ("The Click-Wrap Notice") [PDF] as text, thanks to inode buddha. You may be wondering why SCO seems so frantic to avoid this Rule 30(b)(6) deposition. To understand, we need to understand why a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition is such a powerful weapon. To review, under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 30(b)(6) "permits a party to name a corporation or other form of organization as a deponent in the notice of examination and to describe in the notice the matters about which discovery is desired." The organization is then obliged to designate someone to testify bindingly on its behalf. The idea behind the rule was to quit the bandying by which officers of a corporation are deposed in turn, and they each claim no personal knowledge of facts that somebody in the company has to know. So the rule says to the corporation, OK, pick somebody and make sure he or she does know. It also was supposed to help if, for example, all the executives who would know got severed from the company in a downsizing or corporate takeover, and there isn't anyone left who does have personal knowledge of the facts pertinent to the case. Under the rule, you set forth the subject matter you want to ask someone, and the corporate entity has to decide who is the appropriate party to depose, so you don't have to depose and depose and depose various individuals trying to figure out who the right one is by guesswork. It was designed to streamline discovery.
Now, any time you hand lawyers a rule, they look at it up, down and sideways to see how they can use it to their advantage. This is what they are supposed to do. And so it has been with this rule. Here is an article that explains quite well how Rule 30(b)(6) depositions can be used, appropriately titled Depositions and Wrongful Profits in Infringement Cases: Cornering Your Prey with Rule 30(b)(6)" by Ronald D. Coleman, Esq. As you can see, lawyers don't think in sports metaphors. Well. Maybe bull-fighting. The article is written in the context of trademark infringement and calculating damages, but the principles fit in a patent infringement case just as well. Rule 30(b)(6) depositions, Coleman writes, are effective to compel discovery witnesses to speak for the corporate entity, because "I don't know" isn't an acceptable answer. The corporation is supposed to properly prepare the witness they have designated to represent them. So the deposed is supposed to know and must answer, subject to sanctions running from imposition of costs to default if the judge is so inclined. Of course, it's within reason, as no one person can know and remember absolutely everything that has happened in an organization over, perhaps, years. One strategic use is to try to get the other side to such a deposition early, before they have had a chance to investigate all the facts themselves so as to have a firm position. You can ask your "prey", to use Mr. Coleman's imagery, to explain essentially the company's theory of the case, with facts and documents, the whole enchilada. However, there are limits, and they are laid out in SCO's objections. You can't ask for attorney work product, for example. You can read all about the sanctions here. It's a powerful plaintiff's weapon, and some feel it can be abused, as you can see from this paper [PDF, beginning on p. 14], which will help you to understand SCO's objections.
**********************
Brent O. Hatch (5715)
Mark F. James (5295)
HATCH, JAMES & DODGE
[address, phone, fax]
Stephen N. Zack (admitted pro hac vice)
BOIES, SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP
[address, phone, fax]
Robert Silver (admitted pro hac vice)
Edward Normand (admitted pro hac vice)
Sean Eskovitz (admitted pro hac vice)
BOIES, SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP
[address, phone, fax]
Frederick S. Frei (admitted pro hac vice)
John K. Harrop (admitted pro hac vice)
ANDREWS KURTH LLP
[address, phone, fax]
Attorneys for The SCO Group, Inc.
__________________________
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH
__________________________
THE SCO GROUP, INC.
Plaintiff/Counterclaim-Defendant,
v.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
MACHINES CORPORATION,
Defendant/Counterclaim-Plaintiff.
____________________________
OBJECTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS MACHINE
CORPORATION'S
RULE 30 (b)(6)
NOTICE OF DEPOSITION
("THE
CLICK-WRAP NOTICE")
Case No. 2:03CV0294DAK
Honorable Dale A. Kimball
Magistrate Judge Brooke C. Wells
_____________________________
In response to Defendant/Counterclaim-Plaintiff International Business Machine
Corporation's ("IBM") Notice of 30(b)(6) deposition, served by U.S. Mail on January 10, 2005,
and by facsimile on January 11, 2005 ("the Click-Wrap Notice"), Plaintiff/Counterclaim-Defendant
The SCO Group, Inc. ("SCO") submits the following objections.
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Notwithstanding its General and Specific Objections set forth herein, SCO will attempt to
identify witnesses knowledgeable concerning the topics set forth in IBM's Notice. SCO will
confer with patent counsel for IBM with respect to the designated topics and to agree on dates
and locations for these depositions.
GENERAL OBJECTIONS
1. SCO objects generally to the Click-Wrap Notice as overly broad and unduly
burdensome. The Click-Wrap Notice was served simultaneously with two other Rule 30(b)(6)
deposition notices. Together, these three notices listed fifty-one (51) topics. These notices are
overbroad and unduly burdensome for the further reason that IBM provided SCO with only two
weeks' notice to prepare for these depositions.
2. SCO objects generally to the Click-Wrap Notice as unduly burdensome because
IBM has scheduled this deposition to take place in the offices of its local counsel in Salt Lake
City, Utah. Many of the individuals likely to have knowledge of the topics listed in IBM's
Click-Wrap Notice reside in the Eastern United States, as do SCO's counsel and IBM's counsel.
It would be far less burdensome for these depositions to take place at or near SCO's offices in
New Jersey.
3. SCO objects generally to the Click-Wrap Notice as unduly burdensome because
IBM gave SCO only two weeks to prepare for each of the topics listed and further reduced the
time available to prepare by not serving SCO's patent counsel, who have already entered an
appearance in this case, thereby further prejudicing SCO and increasing the burden imposed by
IBM's Click-Wrap Notice.
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4. SCO objects to each Topic within the Click-Wrap Notice insofar as it seeks
disclosure of information that will become known to SCO only after the completion of discovery
or is otherwise premature, particularly because IBM has not yet provided specific constructions
of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim constructions, nor has IBM stated how
SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-suit.
5. SCO objects to each Topic within the Click-Wrap Notice insofar as it causes
annoyance, oppression, undue burden, or expense to SCO, particularly because IBM has not yet
provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-suit.
6. SCO objects to each Topic within the Click-Wrap Notice insofar as it seeks
information not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence, and/or
which exceeds the scope of discovery permitted by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
7. SCO objects to each Topic within the Click-Wrap Notice insofar as it purports to
seek information or documents protected from discovery by the attorney-client privilege or any
other applicable privilege or immunity.
8. SCO objects to each Topic within the Click-Wrap Notice insofar as it seeks work
product, mental impressions, conclusions, opinions, or legal theories of SCO's counsel, experts,
and/or consultants developed in connection with or in anticipation of this or other litigation or
other business transactions not related to this litigation.
9. SCO objects to IBM's definition of "SCO Product" or "SCO Products" within the
Click-Wrap Notice as "any and all products that are or were created by, for, or on behalf of, or
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acquired by SCO, or any predecessor in interest thereof (whether or not for a fee), from six years
prior to August 6, 2003 to the present date" because it renders the topics overly broad and unduly
burdensome. Moreover, SCO objects to any Topic within the Click-Wrap Notice that seeks
SCO's response on behalf of any entity not wholly owned by SCO or with regard to a product
not sold, manufactured, or used by SCO.
10. SCO objects to IBM's definition of "SCO Product" or "SCO Products" within the
Click-Wrap Notice wherein it "refers to any and all products that are or were created by, for, or
on behalf of, or acquired by SCO, or any predecessor in interest thereof (whether or not for a
fee), from six years prior to August 6, 2003 to the present date" on the grounds that it seeks "any and all products" not only created by SCO but also relating in any way to SCO (including simply acquired by SCO) or any predecessor, and is therefore overly broad and unduly burdensome.
11. SCO objects generally to the definition of "Click-Wrap Product" within the Click-Wrap Notice as vague, overbroad, and unduly burdensome to the extent that it includes SCO
Products that IBM has not accused of infringement of the relevant patents-in-suit.
12. SCO objects generally to the term "Click-Wrap feature" within the Click-Wrap
Notice as overly broad and unduly burdensome to the extent that it includes products other than
those which IBM has accused of infringement.
13. SCO objects further that this Notice is premature because it has outstanding
discovery asking IBM to construe its asserted claims which has not been fully answered.
14. SCO objects generally to the term "Click-Wrap Products" within the CIíck-Wrap
Notice as overly broad and unduly burdensome to the extent that it incorporates the term "Click-
Wrap Feature" as objected to above.
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15. SCO further objects to the term "Click-Wrap Products" within the Click-Wrap
Notíce as overly broad and unduly burdensome to the extent that it includes products, other than
those which IBM has accused of infringement.
16. SCO incorporates its General Objections with regard to each topic as though fully
set forth therein.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIONS
TOPIC NO. 1
1. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 1 of the Click-Wrap Notice on the grounds
that the discovery tool IBM has chosen is the most expensive and unduly burdensome tool
available considering the type of information that is being sought and that interrogatories are the appropriate tool for this type of "identification" information.
2. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 1 because, by seeking "each version
and release of each Click-Wrap Product," the topic is overly broad and unduly burdensome.
TOPIC NO. 2
3. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 2 because it is overbroad and unduly
burdensome to the extent that it seeks information related to Click-Wrap Products to the extent
that term can be construed to include products other than those that IBM has accused of
infringing the patents-in-suit.
4. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 2 to the extent that it seeks
information that is just as burdensome for SCO to produce as it is for IBM to obtain. SCO has
previously produced the source code corresponding to each accused product. It is no more
5
burdensome for IBM to undertake the inquiry requested in Topic No. 2 than it would be for SCO
to do so.
5. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 2 on the grounds that the discovery
tool IBM has chosen is the most expensive and unduly burdensome tool available considering
the type of information that is being sought and that interrogatories are the appropriate tool for
this type of "identification" information.
TOPIC No. 3
6. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 3 because it is overbroad and unduly
burdensome to the extent that it seeks information related to Click-Wrap Products to the extent
that term can be construed to include products other than those that IBM has accused of
infringing the patents-in-suit.
7. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 3 because, by seeking "the function
and operation of each Click-Wrap Feature within each Click-Wrap Product," the topic is overly
broad and unduly burdensome to the extent it seeks information pertaining to products other than
those IBM has accused of infringement.
TOPIC NO. 4
8. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 4 because, by seeking "testing, evaluation,
analysis and debugging of each Click-Wrap Product" the topic is overly broad and unduly burdensome to the extent it seeks information pertaining to products other than those IBM has
accused of infringement.
9. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 4 as premature because IBM has not
yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
6
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
10. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No, 4 as vague and ambiguous because
it does not describe what information concerning the "testing, evaluation, analysis, and
debugging of each Click-Wrap Product" it seeks.
TOPIC NO. 5
11. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 5 because, by seeking "[u]se made by SCO
or SCO's knowledge of its customers' uses of any Click-Wrap Product," the topic is overly
broad and unduly burdensome to the extent it seeks information pertaining to products other than
those IBM has accused of infringement.
12. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 5 as premature because IBM has not
yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
13. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 5 as vague and ambiguous because
it does not describe what information concerning "[u]se made by SCO or SCO's knowledge of
its customers' uses of any Click-Wrap Product" it seeks.
TOPIC NO. 6
14. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 6 on the grounds that it is overbroad
and unduly burdensome because the discovery IBM seeks is available from third parties and
should be obtained from them.
7
15. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 6 as premature because IBM has not
yet provided specific construction of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
TOPIC NO. 7
16. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 7 to the extent that it seeks information that
is just as burdensome for SCO to produce as it is for IBM to obtain. SCO has previously
produced the source code corresponding to each accused product. It is no more burdensome for
IBM to undertake the inquiry requested in Topic No. 7 than it would be for SCO to do so.
17. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 6 as premature because IBM has not
yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
TOPIC NO. 8
18. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 8 to the extent that it seeks information that
is just as burdensome for SCO to produce as it is for IBM to obtain. SCO has previously
produced the source code conesponding to each accused product. It is no more burdensome for
IBM to undertake the inquiry requested in Topic No. 7 than it would be for SCO to do so.
19. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 8 as premature because IBM has not
yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
8
TOPIC NO. 9
20. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 9 to the extent that it seeks information that
is just as burdensome for SCO to produce as it is for IBM to obtain. SCO has previously
produced the source code corresponding to each accused product. It is no more burdensome for
IBM to undertake the inquiry requested in Topic No. 7 than it would be for SCO to do so.
21. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 9 as premature because IBM has not yet
provided specific constructions for its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the
patents-in-suit.
22. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 9 as vague and ambiguous with
regard to tbe phrase "as it relates to the installation of any Click-Wrap product."
TOPIC NO. 10
23. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 10 to the extent that it seeks information
that is just as burdensome for SCO to produce as it is for IBM to obtain. SCO has previously
produced the source code corresponding to each accused product. It is no more burdensome for
IBM to undertake the inquiry requested in Topic No. 7 than it would be for SCO to do so.
24. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 10 as premature because IBM has
not yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claíms, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
25. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 10 as vague and ambiguous with
regard to the phrase "as it relates to the installation of any Click-Wrap product."
9
TOPIC NO. 11
26. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 11 to the extent that it seeks ínformation
that is just as burdensome for SCO to produce as it is for IBM to obtain. SCO has previously
produced the source code corresponding to each accused product. It is no more burdensome for
IBM to undertake the inquiry requested in Topic No. 7 than it would be for SCO to do so.
27. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 11 as premature because IBM has
not yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
28. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 11 as vague and ambiguous wíth
regard to thc phrase "as it relates to the installation of any Click-Wrap product."
TOPIC NO. 12
29. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 12 because, by seeking "[t]raining,
recommendations, suggestions and instructions given to SCO, SCO's distributors or customers,
or any potential distributors or customers concerning the use, configuration, intended use or
intended configuration of each Click-Wrap Feature within each Click-Wrap Product, including
the training, recommendations, suggestions and instructions provided by any third party to
SCO," the topic is overly broad and unduly burdensome to the extent it seeks information
pertaining to products other than those IBM has accused of infringement.
30. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 12 as premature because IBM has
not yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
10
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
31. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 12 as vague and ambiguous because
it does not describe what information concerning "[t]raining, recommendations, suggestions and
instructions given to SCO, SCO's distributors or customers, or any potential distributors or
customers concerning the use, configuration, intended use or intended configuration of each
Click-Wrap Feature within each Click-Wrap Product, including the training, recommendations,
suggestions and instructions provided by any third party to SCO" it seeks.
TOPIC NO. 13
32. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 13 because, by seeking testimony
concerning "[t]he manufacturing of thc Click-Wrap Products to incorporate the Click-Wrap
Feature," the topic is overly broad and and burdensome to the extent it seeks information
pertaining to products other than those IBM has accused of ìnfringement.
33. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 13 as premature because IBM has
not yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
34. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 13 as vague and ambiguous because
it does not describe what information concerning "[t]he manufacturing of the Click-Wrap
Products to incorporate the Click-Wrap Feature'' it seeks.
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TOPIC NO. 14
35. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 14 because, by seeking "[p]roposed or
actual design alternatives to each Click-Wrap Feature in each Click-Wrap Product, including but
not limited to any alleged designs SCO would use as noninfringing alternatives to the current
version used in each Click-Wrap Product," the topic is overly broad and unduly burdensome to
the extent it seeks information pertaining to products other than those IBM has accused of
infringement.
36. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 14 as premature because IBM has
not yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
TOPIC NO. 15
37. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 15 because, by seeking "[t]he release
history of each Click-Wrap Product," the topic is overly broad and unduly burdensome to the
extent it seeks information pertaining to products other than those IBM has accused of
infringement.
38. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 15 as premature because IBM has
not yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
39. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 15 on the grounds that the discovery
tool IBM has chosen is the most expensive and unduly burdensome tool available considering
12
the type of information that is being sought and that requests for documents are the appropriate
tool for this type of information.
TOPIC NO. 16
40. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 16 because, by stating "[t]o the extent any
Click-Wrap Feature within any Click-Wrap Product was purchased, acquired or otherwise not
originally developed by SCO, the identity of the original developer and all persons who worked
on the development of, and the location of any, documents regarding the development of, such
Click-Wrap Feature," the topic is overly broad and unduly burdensome to the extent it seeks
information pertaining to products other than those IBM has accused of infringement.
41. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 16 as premature because IBM has
not yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
42. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 16 on the grounds that the discovery
tool IBM has chosen is the most expensive and unduly burdensome tool available considering
the type of information that is being sought and that interrogatories and requests for documents
are the appropriate tool for this type of "identification" information.
TOPIC NO. 17
43. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 17 because, by seeking "[t]he facts,
circumstances and documents relating to the decision by SCO to continue to use Click-Wrap
feature in each Click-Wrap Product after August 6, 2003," the topic is overly broad and unduly
13
burdensome to the extent it seeks information pertaining to products other than those IBM has
accused of infringement.
44. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 17 on the grounds that the discovery
tool IBM has chosen is the most expensive and unduly burdensome tool available considering
the type of information that is being sought and that requests for documents are the appropriate
tool for this type of information.
TOPIC NO. 18
45. SCO objects specifically to Topic No. 18 because, by seeking "[t]he identity of
SCO's personnel most knowledgeable concerning tbe subject matter described in items 1 - 17
above," the topic is overly broad and unduly burdensome for the reasons SCO enumerated in its
specific objections to items 1-17 above.
46. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 18 as premature because IBM has
not yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
TOPIC NO. 19
47. SCO objects specifìcally to Topic No. 19 because, by seeking "[d]ocuments
concerning the subject matter set forth in paragraphs 1-16 above," the topic is overly broad and
unduly burdensome for the reasons SCO enumerated in its specific objections to items 1-16
above.
48. SCO further objects specifically to Topic No. 19 as premature because IBM has
not yet provided specific constructions of its asserted claims, nor the support for such claim
14
constructions, nor has IBM stated how SCO's accused products allegedly infringe the patents-in-
suit.
DATED this 24th day of January, 2005
Respectfully submitted,
HATCH, JAMES & DODGE, P.C.
Brent O. Hatch
Mark James
BOIES, SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP
Robert Silver (admitted pro hac vice)
Stephen N. Zack (admitted pro hac vice)
Edward Normand (admitted pro hac vice)
Sean Eskovitz (admitted pro hac vice)
ANDREWS KURTH LLP
Frederick S. Frei
John K. Harrop
By: ___[signature]____
Attorneys for The SCO Group, Inc.
15
I hereby certify that the foregoing OBJECTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION'S RULE 30(b)(6) NOTICE OF DEPOSITION ("THE CLICK-WRAP NOTICE") was served this 24th day of January, 2005:
by facsimile and Federal Express to:
David Marriott, Esq.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
[address, fax]
A copy was also sent by depositing a copy of same in the United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, this 24th day of January, 2005 to the following:
Todd M. Shaughnessy, Esq.
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
[address]
Donald J. Rosenberg, Esq.
[address]
___[signature]____
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