P1331 In a class action based on allegations that defendant invaded the privacy of some of its customers by secretly monitoring and recording their telephone conversations, since none of the potential class members would be aware their privacy had been invaded, precertification discovery of their identities from defendant was essential to finding a plaintiff who could properly represent the class and to maintaining the class action, so precertification discovery was properly permitted.

CASHCALL v SUPERIOR COURT (Secret Monitoring Class) 159 CA4 273 [See: CCP 382; PenC 6372; Best Buy v Superior Court 137 CA4 772, P/AT 5/06; Parris v Superior Court 109 CA4 285, P/AT 7/03]