Sterling Select II Advisory LLC v. Argus Information and Advisory Services, LLC

Background

The case concerns disputes arising from contracts between Sterling Select II Advisory LLC and Argus Information and Advisory Services, LLC and Argus Information and Advisory Services, Inc. The agreements involved developing and commercializing a sports-and-entertainment data product and included confidentiality provisions. The opinion also states that Verisk Analytics, Inc. and TransUnion, Inc. were added as defendants in the amended complaint.

Sealing request

Sterling sought permission to file two versions of its amended complaint: a public version with limited redactions and a complete version under seal. Sealing means restricting public access to a court filing. The proposed redactions covered details about the product’s functionality, as well as nonpublic commercial and financial information concerning strategy, compensation, and revenue sharing.

The letter requesting sealing argued that the product information was not generally known, was not readily accessible to the public or competitors, and was not easily duplicated. It also argued that disclosure of the commercial and financial information could harm the parties’ future negotiations or benefit competitors. The request stated that the redactions were limited to information necessary to protect those interests.

Ruling

The court stated that, for the reasons given in the parties’ sealing letter, the requested sealing of the amended complaint was appropriate under the standard discussed in Lugosch v. Pyramid Co. of Onondaga. The parties may file the partially redacted amended complaint and the full unredacted amended complaint under seal. The Clerk of Court was directed to close Docket Number 53.

Judge John P. Cronan signed the order on February 27, 2025. This order addressed access to the amended complaint; it did not decide the underlying contract or trade-secret dispute.