Coach IP Holdings, LLC v. ACS Group Acquisition LLC

Background

Case-Mate, Inc. asked to file under seal two exhibits attached to a declaration supporting its opposition to Vinci’s motion to amend and add defendants to an amended counterclaim. The exhibits consisted of deposition excerpts from three witnesses and an email concerning “Project Shield.” Case-Mate also asked to seal highlighted portions of its opposition that quoted from those exhibits.

Case-Mate argued that the deposition excerpts concerned a potential relationship between Case-Mate and Kate Spade, including preparations for an introductory meeting and possible future licensing relationships. It stated that the materials had been designated confidential or highly confidential during discovery in a related case. Case-Mate also argued that disclosure could harm Case-Mate and Kate Spade because Onward was an active competitor to Case-Mate and because the materials could reveal information about Kate Spade’s licensing practices. Case-Mate characterized the email as containing nonpublic information about a confidential transaction that Vinci and Case-Mate had been considering and said it had been drafted by Vinci’s agent, D.A. Davidson, which was not a party to the case.

Court’s Action

Upon initial review, the court found the sealing request overly broad because Case-Mate sought to seal Exhibits 1 and 2 in their entirety. The court explained that sealing requests must be narrowly tailored and should seek to seal only information that must remain confidential to protect higher values. The court directed Case-Mate, by August 25, 2025, either to submit a letter providing legal authority supporting the request to seal both exhibits in full or to file public versions of the exhibits with proposed redactions, together with legal authority supporting the sealing of the redacted information. The order did not grant or deny the sealing request.