Raner v. The Fun Pimps Entertainment LLC

Filing 132

ORDER granting Defendants' 127 Motion to Seal. Signed by District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright.(MW)

Honorable Tiffany M. Cartwright

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA
RYAN RANER,
Plaintiff / Counterclaim Defendant,
v.

Civil Action No. 22-cv-5718TMC
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS’
MOTION TO SEAL UNREDACTED
VERSION OF DECLARATION

THE FUN PIMPS ENTERTAINMENT, LLC;
RICHARD HUENINK, JR.; and JOEL
HUENINK,
Defendants / Counterclaim Plaintiff.
The Court, having considered Defendants’ motion to seal the unredacted version of the
Declaration of Richard Huenink, which contains sensitive financial information considered
confidential to all parties in this case, concludes as follows.
The Local Civil Rules provide that where a party wishes “to file a confidential document
it obtained from another party in discovery,” the party filing the motion to seal such documents
need not satisfy the requirements of LCR 5(g)(3)(B). See LCR 5(g)(3). Rather, it is the party who
designated the document confidential who must, in its response to the motion to seal, satisfy
LCR 5(g)(3)(B), which requires:
(B) A specific statement of the applicable legal standard and the reasons for keeping
a document under seal, including an explanation of:
i.

the legitimate private or public interests that warrant the relief sought;

ii.

the injury that will result if the relief sought is not granted; and

iii.

why a less restrictive alternative to the relief sought is not sufficient.

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO
SEAL - 1
Civil Action No. 22-cv-5718TMC
FUNP-6-0001P049 ORD MOTSeal.docx

Here, both parties agree that the information to be filed under seal is confidential and
deserves protection from disclosure to the public. There is a legitimate private interest in
maintaining party sensitive financial information, which includes party compensation, confidential
and not disclosed to the public, inter alia because it constitutes competitive industry trade secret
information related to product development. Public disclosure of such information will result in a
competitive disadvantage. The financial information sought to be filed under seal has been
designated “Confidential” under the Stipulated Protective Order governing this case. (Dkt. 49)
Defendants have minimized what is filed under seal through redaction, and there is no less
restrictive alternative to prevent public disclosure. See LCR 5(g)(3)(B). Finally, Plaintiff has
indicated that he does not oppose sealing the Declaration including the sensitive financial
information.
The public disclosure of this type of highly confidential and sensitive information would
result in severe and irreparable harm to the parties, and therefore the Court finds “compelling
reasons” to justify keeping the requested materials under seal. Accordingly, the Court finds that
Defendants have satisfied their burden under LCR 5(g)(3)(B), and GRANTS the motion to seal.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED this 5th day of February, 2024.

A

Tiffany M. Cartwright
United States District Judge

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO SEAL 2
Civil Action No. 22-cv-5718TMC
FUNP-6-0001P049 ORD MOTSeal.docxT

Presented by:
s/ David A. Lowe, WSBA No. 24453
[e-mail]
LOWE GRAHAM JONESPLLC
1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1130
Seattle, WA 98101
T: 206.381.3300
J. Pat Heptig (admitted pro hac vice)
[e-mail]
HEPTIG LAW GROUP, LTD.
4140 Deep Valley Dr.
Dallas, TX 75244
T: 214.856.0714
Attorneys for Defendants

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO SEAL 3
Civil Action No. 22-cv-5718TMC
FUNP-6-0001P049 ORD MOTSeal.docxT