Request for Confidential Treatment

0094-EX-ST-2016 Text Documents

Intel Corp.

2016-01-23ELS_171879

                 REQUEST FOR WITHHOLDING INFORMATION
                    FROM ROUTINE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

        Intel Corporation (“Intel”) requests pursuant to Section 0.459 of the
Commission’s Rules that certain materials included within the instant application for
special temporary authority be withheld from routine public disclosure. In support of this
request, Intel provides the following information:

Identification of materials to be withheld from routine public disclosure
(§0.459(b)(1)): Intel requests that all of the information contained in Attachment 1 to the
application be withheld from routine public disclosure. Intel does not seek to withhold
from public inspection any information necessary for interference mitigation, including
the applicant name, contact information, locations, frequencies and power levels.

Identification of the Commission proceeding in which the information was
submitted (§0.459(b)(2)): The material has been submitted in connection with the Intel
application for special temporary authority that has been assigned File No. 0094-EX-ST-
2016.

Explanation of the degree to which the information is commercial or financial, or
contains a trade secret, or is privileged (§0.459(b)(3)): The market for the technology
that is the subject of the request for special temporary authority is a highly competitive
one, with numerous vendors battling for the business of customers through, among other
things, the frequent introduction of new devices with innovative features. Were Intel’s
competitors to learn at this time the specific facts set forth in Attachment 1 to the
application, it could deprive Intel of the marketplace benefits it otherwise will achieve by
virtue of showcasing an innovative use of Intel’s Curie module before its competitors
have devised and implemented similar technologies. That, in turn, would have an
adverse impact on Intel’s competitive standing with the prospective customer base to
which the Curie module will be marketed. Intel closely guards the information in
Attachment 1 against disclosure to competitors and the public. The information for
which confidential treatment is sought concerns Intel’s private business and operations
and “would customarily be guarded from competitors.” See 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.459(a)(4),
0.457(d)(2). Such proprietary and confidential information may be withheld from public
disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) Exemption 4.

In addition, the nature of the event described in Attachment 1 is highly confidential and
has not been disclosed publicly by the producers of the event. The release of such details
prior to the event would undoubtedly cause harm to the performers and producers, as the
performance/production value and dramatic effect of the performance and the
incorporation of Intel’s technology will largely be driven by the element of surprise.

Explanation of the degree to which the information concerns a service that is subject
to competition (§0.459(b)(4)): As discussed above, the market for wireless technologies
such as those that are the subject of the request for special temporary authority is a highly
competitive one. The information for which confidential treatment is sought concerns


Intel’s private business and operations and “would customarily be guarded from
competitors.” See 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.459(a)(4), 0.457(d)(2).

Explanation of how disclosure of the information could result in substantial
competitive harm (§0.459(b)(5)): Public disclosure of the commercially-sensitive,
proprietary, and confidential operational and technical information set forth in
Attachment 1 would cause competitive harm to Intel. The wireless industry is highly
competitive, and industry participants always are interested in learning information about
device prototypes of others, as well as applicable development and testing schedules in
order to gain a competitive advantage. As noted above, were Intel’s competitors to
become aware of the facts set forth in Attachment 1 to the application at this time, it
could deprive Intel of the marketplace benefit it otherwise will achieve by virtue of
showcasing this particular technology before other competitors and thus have an adverse
impact on Intel’s competitive standing. The D.C. Circuit has found that parties do not
have to “‘show actual competitive harm’” to justify confidential treatment. Rather,
“‘[a]ctual competition and the likelihood of substantial competitive injury’ is sufficient to
bring commercial information within the realm of confidentiality.” Public Citizen Health
Research Group, 704 F.2d at 1291, quoting Gulf & Western Industries v. U.S., 615 F.2d
527, 530 (D.C. Cir. 1979).

Likewise, public disclosure of the details of the described performance would result in
competitive harm to the performers, producers and Intel, as it would decrease the
production value of the instant performance and would serve as a disincentive to
incorporate cutting edge technologies in future performances.

Identification of any measures taken by the submitting party to prevent
unauthorized disclosure (§0.459(b)(6)): Intel will not be disclosing to the public that
the performer will incorporating Intel’s Curie module in the performance, or that it has
sought this special temporary authority for such use. Those Intel employees that are
aware of the performance have been instructed on the need to maintain confidentiality
regarding the nature and source of the device to be used and the nature of the
performance itself, and all Intel contractors and partners that become privy to such
information are subject to confidentiality agreements.

Identification of whether the information is available to the public and the extent of
any previous disclosure of the information to third parties (§0.459(b)(7)): Intel has
not made the information subject to this request available to the public and does not
routinely disclose such commercially sensitive information to the public or to third
parties, and has established procedures to protect such information internally. Some of
the details regarding the prototype device that is the subject of the application have been
disclosed to a very select group of potential partners, but in all cases pursuant to non-
disclosure agreements. There has been no prior disclosure that Intel is seeking this
special temporary authority or of the specifics regarding the performance. Intel
voluntarily provides the information at this time with the expectation that it will be
treated confidentially in accordance with the Commission’s rules. See Critical Mass
Energy Project v. Nuclear Regulatory Comm'n, 975 F.2d 871, 879 (D.C. Cir. 1992)
(commercial information provided on a voluntary basis “is ‘confidential’ for the purpose


of Exemption 4 if it is of a kind that would customarily not by released to the public by
the person from whom it was obtained.”).

Justification of the period during which the submitting party asserts that material
should not be available for public disclosure (§0.459(b)(8)): Given the competitive
nature of the marketplace, disclosure that Intel is about to showcase an innovative new
use of its technology as referenced in Attachment 1 would harm Intel’s competitive
position. Likewise, disclosure of the details of the performance would hurt the producers,
as it would take away the element of drama and surprise necessary for such artistic
performances. As such, Intel requests that the information be held confidential until after
the public broadcast of the show on February 15th.

Any other information that the party seeking confidential treatment believes may be
useful in assessing whether its request for confidentiality should be granted
(§0.459(b)(9)): The information for which confidential treatment is requested falls
within FOIA Exemption 4, which provides a statutory basis for withholding from public
inspection “matters that are trade secrets and commercial or financial information
obtained from a person and privileged or confidential.” 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(4).

Consistent with 47 C.F.R. § 0.459(d)(1), Intel requests notification if release of the
information subject to this request is requested pursuant to the FOIA or otherwise, so that
Intel may have an opportunity to oppose grant of any such request.



Document Created: 2016-01-23 18:14:19
Document Modified: 2016-01-23 18:14:19

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