ORDER NO. 99-240

ENTERED March 31, 1999

This is an electronic copy. Appendices not included.

OF OREGON

UX 21

DISPOSITION: PROTECTIVE ORDER ISSUED

On March 29, 1999, U S WEST Communications, Inc. (USWC) filed a Motion for a Protective Order. USWC asserts that material included within the scope of discovery in this proceeding contains confidential and proprietary information. USWC states that the release of confidential information could provide advantages to its competitors. USWC also will be seeking information from other parties. USWC seeks protection of its trade secrets and other confidential information, the disclosure of which would cause serious injury to USWC.

I find that good cause exists to issue a Standard Protective Order, attached as Appendix A. OAR 860-012-0035(1)(k). Under the terms of that order, a party may designate as confidential any information it believes falls within the scope of ORCP 36(C)(7). Once designated as confidential, the information may be disclosed only to "qualified persons" associated with parties that have agreed to be bound by the terms of the protective order by signing the signatory page set forth in Appendix B.

Paragraph 3 of the protective order establishes two categories of "qualified persons." The first category, set forth in subsections (a) through (d), includes the authors of the confidential material, the Commission or its Staff, and counsel of record for a party or persons directly employed by counsel. This group of persons is entitled to review confidential information without the need to give notice to the party desiring confidentiality or execute an additional statement agreeing to be bound by the terms of the order. As noted above, however, a party must sign the signatory page before anyone associated with the party, including its counsel, may review the confidential material.

Subsections (e) through (g) of Paragraph 3 set forth the second category of qualified persons. These include unaffiliated party experts, persons approved by the party desiring confidentiality, and persons designated as qualified by Commission order. As a prerequisite to gaining access to confidential information, this second category of qualified persons must execute a consent to be bound. Prior to disclosing confidential information to an unaffiliated expert, the party seeking to disclose the information must also notify the party desiring confidentiality. See Paragraphs 7 and 8.

Paragraph 9 provides the procedures for when a party desires to disclose information to a person who is not qualified under Paragraph 3. In such circumstances, the party must request permission from the party desiring confidentiality and provide certain information, including the identity of the unqualified person and the specific reasons why disclosure is necessary. If the party desiring confidentiality fails or refuses to grant the request, the party seeking disclosure may file a motion to qualify the person by Commission order.

All persons who are given access to confidential information have the duty to monitor their own conduct to ensure their compliance with the Protective Order. Such persons shall not use or disclose the information for any purpose other than the purposes of preparation for and conduct of this proceeding, and shall take all reasonable precautions to keep the confidential information secure.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that the Standard Protective Order, attached as Appendix A, shall govern the disclosure of confidential information in this case.

Made, entered, and effective ______________, pursuant to OAR 860-012-0035(1)(k).

This order may be appealed to the Commission pursuant to OAR 860-014-0091. The appeal should be in the form of a motion. See OAR 860-013-0031.