SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. v. Arcesium LLC

Background

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. and Advent Software, Inc. brought the action against Arcesium LLC. The opinion states that the plaintiffs alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, unfair competition, and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The plaintiffs’ First Amended Complaint referred to and quoted documents that Arcesium had designated as confidential under a protective order.

Request to Restrict Public Access

The parties jointly requested permission to redact portions of the First Amended Complaint and file the unredacted version under seal. They identified the material as confidential commercial information concerning Arcesium’s sales and business-development strategies, including the development of proprietary technologies.

The opinion explained that judicial documents generally carry a presumption of public access. Courts weigh that presumption against countervailing interests, including privacy concerns and the potential injury from disclosure. The opinion stated that confidential commercial information may be protected when disclosure could harm a litigant’s competitive position.

Ruling

Judge Valerie E. Caproni granted the parties’ application. The order therefore permitted the requested redactions and the filing of the unredacted First Amended Complaint under seal.