AceShowbiz - Blake Lively's request for a modified protective order in her ongoing legal clash with Justin Baldoni and other parties associated with "It Ends With Us" has been approved by a judge. However, the court has limited the scope of the restrictions she sought, suggesting a complex journey ahead as sensitive information remains partly vulnerable to public scrutiny.

Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that while certain confidential materials will stay protected, the "Attorneys' Eyes Only" (AEO) designation can only be applied if the release of the information is "highly likely to cause a significant business, commercial, financial or privacy injury."

The judge underscored the potential harm of gossip and leaks, stating, "confidential information is not disclosed to the media, it may spread by gossip and innuendo within the tight artistic community."

This statement highlights the precarious nature of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, where information can circulate rapidly, causing significant damage.

Blake Lively's spokesperson expressed relief, stating, "Today, the Court rejected the Wayfarer Parties' objections and entered the protections needed to ensure the free flow of discovery material without any risk of witness intimidation or harm to any individual's security."

Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, remarked that the ruling aligned with their stance, "We are fully in agreement with the Court's decision to provide a narrow scope of protections to categories such as private mental health records and personal security measures that have never been of interest to us."

He criticized Lively's "exceedingly overbroad demand for documents" and reiterated the intent to reveal necessary communications to counter her claims.

The legal dispute placed under the spotlight by Lively's allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign, which Baldoni has fervently denied. He has responded with a $400 million lawsuit accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist of defamation and extortion.

Amid this high-profile contention, revelations about Lively's celebrity friends, including Taylor Swift, have been unleashed by Baldoni's lawyers, and they launched a website to share their evidences ahead of trial.

The court's recent ruling, though limiting Lively's initial requests for broad confidentiality orders, does provide certain protections aimed at preventing reputational harm and media scrutiny. However, as the proceedings continue, both sides remain unwavering in their quest to substantiate their respective claims.