Key Insight: Oracle’s lawyers did not read the ESI produced to them, and instead accused Google of withholding critical evidence (that had been produced).
Nature of Case: Copyright infringement.
Electronic Data Involved: ESI produced by Google.
Keywords: This case shows the critical importance of electronic document review. Discovery-concealment misconduct.
Key Insight: sanctions affirmed for discovery violations including using data wiping software to delete files
Nature of Case: repossession
Electronic Data Involved: deleted electronic records
Keywords: earth moving equipment repossession, deleted computer files, data wiping
Identified State Rule(s): Minnesota Rule of Civil Procedure 60.02
Key Insight: Plaintiff failed to respond to discovery requests. Plaintiff also used data wiping software hours before turning computer over for forensic examination. Defendant granted default judgment.
Nature of Case: Repossession/Ownership
Electronic Data Involved: Files on Computer
Keywords: default judgment, contempt, data wipe
Key Insight: Citation to Rule/caselaw that omits consideration of “proportionality” is reckless and sanctionable.
Nature of Case: Fair Debt Collection Practice Act (FDCPA) Action
Electronic Data Involved: Medical records
Keywords: “misstate[ment] [of] the law” “outdated caselaw” “recklessly misrepresented” “medical condition”
Key Insight: Magistrate recommended sanctions for defendants’ willful failure to comply with his discovery order. No finding of bad faith.
Nature of Case: Breach of contract.
Electronic Data Involved: Defendant emails and text messages.
Keywords: “Strong circumstantial evidence” that the defendants had concealed documents. Adverse inference instructions and legal costs imposed by court.
Key Insight: limited additional discovery on the issue of conflict of interest and bias in the administration of the claim
Nature of Case: ERISA
Electronic Data Involved: 5 depositions and written discovery responses
Keywords: limited additional discovery, discovery duplication, scope of discovery
Key Insight: confidential settlement information in documents requested
Nature of Case: Negligence and breach of contract
Electronic Data Involved: communications between Amex Nooter and IOSHA
Keywords: Confidential Settlement information, motion to compel, impeachment
Key Insight: Failure to preserve relevant evidence.
Nature of Case: Trademark ownership dispute.
Electronic Data Involved: Defendants discarded computers, following an alleged power surge which “fried” data.
Keywords: Defendants “willfully spoliated evidence” and the “extraordinary measures Batterman undertook to mislead opposing counsel and the Court merit a finding of bad faith.”
Key Insight: are the defendants acting in bad faith by not confirming that evidence doesn’t exist or was it not preserved, in that case is it sanctionable
Nature of Case: violation of Securities act, violation of the exchange act and rule 10b-5, unregistered securities offerings
Electronic Data Involved: “back office data” information as to whether defendants explored public offering
Keywords: bad faith, sanctions, spoliation, public offering
Key Insight: personnel files are not maintained by the custodian, they are maintained by HR and contain personal information and are not discoverable
Nature of Case: products liability
Electronic Data Involved: employee personnel files of people that plaintiffs want to depose
Keywords: discoverability, relevancy, personnel files
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