Lyft, Inc. v. AGIS Software Development LLC

Background

On May 19, 2022, the court granted Lyft, Inc.’s motion for permission to file a first amended complaint. Because that order referred to materials filed under seal, the court temporarily sealed the order and directed the parties to submit a joint request identifying proposed redactions. The parties submitted that request, and the court later required declarations supporting the confidentiality of the information they wanted redacted.

AGIS Software Development LLC submitted a declaration from its counsel. Lyft submitted a declaration stating that it took no position on whether the information was confidential. The proposed redactions involved information about AGIS Software’s license agreements and information about the structure and funds of AGIS Software, AGIS, Inc., and AGIS Holdings, Inc.

Court’s Analysis

The court explained that judicial records are generally available for public inspection. It determined, however, that the lesser “good cause” standard applied because the information appeared in an order concerning permission to amend the complaint, which was only indirectly related to the merits of the case.

The court found good cause to keep the proposed information under seal. The information involved confidential business and licensing matters. The declaration stated that confidentiality provisions in the license agreements could be breached by disclosure, that public disclosure could reveal licensing information to competitors, and that the information about the entities’ structure and agreements was confidential business information. The court found that public disclosure could harm AGIS Software and third parties.

Disposition

The court granted the parties’ stipulation regarding redactions to the sealed order at ECF No. 133. It stated that it would file the proposed redacted version of that order shortly. Judge Beth Labson Freeman signed the order.