Despite Failure to Employ “Best Practices,” Lack of Sufficient Prejudice Results in Lesser Sanctions
F.T.C. v. DirecTV, Inc., Case No. 15-cv-01129-HSG (MEJ), 2016 WL 7386133 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 21, 2016)
In this case, the Court addressed Plaintiff’s motion for sanctions under Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(e)(1) but, despite acknowledging that Defendant “could have been more forthcoming in its disclosures to the FTC, and/or more proactive in its preservation efforts,” declined to grant the request to exclude evidence, including Defendant’s expert’s report, absent a showing of sufficient prejudice. Instead, the Court ordered Defendant to make its expert available for a 4-hour deposition, should Plaintiff find it useful.