Legal Definitions - motion for a protective order

Definition: A motion for a protective order is a request made by a party to the court to protect them from potentially harmful actions by the other party, usually related to the process of discovery. For example, if one party seeks to obtain the other party's trade secrets during discovery, the other party may file a motion for a protective order to prevent the disclosure of such information.

Example: In a lawsuit between two companies, Company A is seeking to obtain information about Company B's manufacturing process, which is considered a trade secret. Company B files a motion for a protective order to prevent the disclosure of this information, arguing that it could harm their business if it became public knowledge. The court may then issue a protective order to limit the use and dissemination of this information.

Explanation: This example illustrates how a motion for a protective order can be used to protect a party's trade secrets during the discovery process. The court may issue a protective order to limit the use and dissemination of such information, ensuring that it is only used for the purposes of the pending lawsuit and not made public.