N.Y. C.P.L.R. 3103

§ 3103. Protective orders. (a) Prevention of abuse. The court may at\nany time on its own initiative, or on motion of any party or of any\nperson from whom or about whom discovery is sought, make a protective\norder denying, limiting, conditioning or regulating the use of any\ndisclosure device. Such order shall be designed to prevent unreasonable\nannoyance, expense, embarrassment, disadvantage, or other prejudice to\nany person or the courts.\n (b) Suspension of disclosure pending application for protective order.\nService of a notice of motion for a protective order shall suspend\ndisclosure of the particular matter in dispute.\n (c) Suppression of information improperly obtained. If any disclosure\nunder this article has been improperly or irregularly obtained so that a\nsubstantial right of a party is prejudiced, the court, on motion, may\nmake an appropriate order, including an order that the information be\nsuppressed.\n