The Art of Communication News

LVK Law Protects Ridesharing Company’s Confidential Trade Secret Data from Public Records Disclosure in Multnomah County Case

November 8, 2016

The Oregonian newspaper sought Lyft, Inc.’s confidential and competitively sensitive ride and vehicle data from the City of Portland. Lyft provides this data to the City of Portland pursuant to nondisclosure agreements and City regulations.  Lyft treats its ride and vehicle data as highly confidential and protects it from disclosure to the public and competitors.  After the Multnomah County District Attorney ordered the City to produce the data to the Oregonian, LVK Law obtained a temporary restraining order blocking the release of the data.  In briefing the case in front of Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Judith Matarazzo, LVK attorneys explained that the data was exempt under Oregon Public Records Law and the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.  After oral argument, Judge Matarazzo ruled that the data was exempt from disclosure as protected business information and trade secrets and issued a permanent injunction prohibiting the City from disclosing the data.  The Oregonian reported on the case result here.

Chris Kayser successfully argued the case and was supported on the briefing by John Rake and Danielle Hunsaker.

Case: Lyft, Inc. v. City of Portland and Oregonian Publishing Company, LLC

Court: Multnomah County Circuit Court

Case Number: 16CV32174, consolidated with Case 16CV31985 (Rasier, LLC v. City of Portland et al)

Hearing Date: Friday, November 4, 2016