435 U.S. 589 (1978) Cited 5,988 times 9 Legal Analyses
Holding that "business information that might harm a litigant's competitive standing" can constitute a sufficient reason to preserve records under seal
Holding that the common-law and First Amendment presumptions of open records apply in civil cases; setting forth the standard under which such presumptions may be overcome
Holding that the district court's sealing order "violated the public's right of access under the First Amendment and that the [district] court abused its discretion in allowing Company Doe to proceed under a pseudonym"
Holding that a Settlement Agreement never filed with, interpreted by, or enforced in the district court is not a judicial record accessible under the right of access doctrine
Holding that a party that "failed to offer evidence . . . to substantiate its claim that disclosure . . . would result in any type of competitive disadvantage," did not meet the burden to seal documents
Holding that, "absent allegations of fraud or other extraordinary circumstances," documents restored to owner after case's completion are no longer "judicial records" subject to public inspection