[Proposed] Order
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FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
ORDER Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(c)(7), and in the interest of ensuring an efficient and prompt resolution of this action and of protecting information of the parties and non-parties from improper disclosure, the Court hereby enters the following Protective Order: A. DEFINITIONS 1. As used herein:
B. ACCESS TO AND USE OF HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION 2. Except as otherwise authorized by this Order, Highly Confidential Information shall be used only for the purpose of participating in this proceeding, and shall not be obtained by any person other than the individuals set forth below:
3. All individuals who have access to the Highly Confidential Information under the terms of this Order shall have the obligation to ensure that access is strictly limited as prescribed by this Order. Such individuals shall further have the obligation to ensure that the Highly Confidential Information is used only as provided in this Order and is not duplicated except as necessary: (1) to provide one copy of the confidential information for each individual who signs the attached Agreement Concerning Confidentiality; or (2) for a filing with the Court. If a filing is made with the Court that contains Highly Confidential Information, that filing shall be made under seal as described in paragraph 6. 4. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3, nothing in this Order shall limit a Protected Person's use or disclosure in this proceeding of the Highly Confidential Information that it had produced to the United States during the investigation of the Mergers. 5. The United States shall be required to follow the procedures governing the filing and service of Highly Confidential Information on Interested Parties. Nothing in this Order modifies the Department of Justice's ability to access and use materials in its possession pursuant to the Second Request Statute, CID Statute, or voluntary submission or its confidentiality obligations regarding such materials. 6. All Highly Confidential Information contained or discussed in any pleading, exhibit or other paper filed with the Court shall be filed under seal. Where possible, only the confidential portions of filings with the court shall be filed under seal. Information filed under seal shall be placed in a sealed envelope with the endorsements required by LCvR 5:1(j). The Clerk shall keep such papers under seal until further order of this Court. Such papers shall be furnished to the Court, the Department of Justice, and the counsel for the Interested Persons provided that they have filed the attached Agreement Concerning Confidentiality. Within two business days of filing a paper containing Highly Confidential Information, the filing party shall file on the public record a copy of the paper with the Highly Confidential Information deleted. Outside Consultants for Interested Parties who have entered into the attached Agreement Concerning Confidentiality shall also be entitled to receive court papers containing Highly Confidential Information. 7. The Department of Justice shall provide Protected Persons with a copy of this proposed Order and notify them of the potential use of any Highly Confidential Information produced by them. Notice shall be given at least two business days before the intended use of Highly Confidential Information, unless otherwise ordered by the Court. The Department of Justice shall also provide a copy of this signed Order to all Protected Persons. A Protected Person may request the Court to establish and apply protective procedures (including, with limitation, in camera review of confidential information, sealing of portions of transcripts containing or discussing Highly Confidential Information and/or excluding persons from the courtroom who are not eligible to have access to Highly Confidential Information under paragraphs 2(c) (d) of this Order) governing the disclosure of Highly Confidential Information at a hearing of this proceeding. C. PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING ACCESS TO HIGHLY 8. Before reviewing or having access to the Highly Confidential Information, each individual listed in paragraph 2(c) (d) who seeks access shall first execute the attached Agreement Concerning Confidentiality and file it with the Court, with a copy to the counsel of record for the United States, at least three business days prior to such person's receiving a copy of the Highly Confidential Information. Once an individual associated with an Interested Person receives a copy of the Highly Confidential Information, that individual may duplicate the Highly Confidential Information for other individuals associated with that Interested Person who have met the requirements of this paragraph. D. ADDITIONAL MATTERS 9. The Protected Persons reserve the right to apply to the Court for an order modifying this Order or seeking further protections against discovery or other use of the Highly Confidential Information. 10. Within 90 days after receiving notice of the entry of an order, judgment or decree terminating this action, all persons who received Highly Confidential Information shall destroy the Highly Confidential Information and any copies thereof, and certify that fact in writing to the Department of Justice. Outside Counsel for any defendant shall be entitled to retain court papers and other material incorporating Highly Confidential Information, provided that defendants' Outside Counsel shall not disclose such information to any person except pursuant to court order or agreement with the Protected Person. Nothing in this provision shall restrict the rights of the Department of Justice to retain and use confidential materials for law enforcement purposes or as otherwise required by law.
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
AGREEMENT CONCERNING CONFIDENTIALITY I, _____________________, am employed as a ______________ by _______________. I hereby certify that: 1. I have read the Protective Order entered in the above-captioned action. I understand its terms and the obligations imposed upon me by the Order. 2. I agree to be bound by the terms of the Protective Order entered in the above-captioned action. I agree to use the information provided to me only for the purposes of this action. 3. I understand that my failure to abide by the terms of the Protective Order entered in the above-captioned action will subject me, without limitation, to civil and criminal penalties for contempt of Court. 4. I submit to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia solely for the purpose of enforcing the terms of the Protective Order entered in the above-captioned action and freely and knowingly waive any right I may otherwise have to object to the jurisdiction of said Court. 5. I make this certificate this ____ day of ______________, 2006.
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