IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE “IG”
Okay Bryn – you can take the gun away from my head now. Aside from our Exchange editor anxiously awaiting the new Alvin movie, Bryn would love nothing more than to have an entire edition devoted to Information Governance. According to Wikipedia, “Information Governance is the set of multi-disciplinary structures, policies, procedures, processes and controls implemented to manage information on all media in such a way that it supports an organization’s immediate and future regulatory, legal, risk, environmental and operational requirements.” My contribution to this topic will center on its legal importance, as demonstrated by the recent “claw back” request in the Google/Oracle case.
Oracle has filed a lawsuit against Google over license fees associated with Java, which Oracle acquired when it purchased Sun several years ago. In response to Oracle’s document request, Google used search technology that inadvertently produced an e-mail quite damaging to their own case. The e-mail had apparently been handed over to the other side without a final review by attorneys or, for that matter, by any human being. In it, a technician inside Google advised the company that they should have licensed the Java technology before including it as a feature in their products. When they realized their mistake, Google requested that the court “claw it back,” claiming that the document was protected attorney/client communication. The judge ruled against Google in light of the fact that only the final version of the e-mail was marked as attorney/client communication.
Perhaps Google should adopt a policy of labeling all sensitive e-mails involving legal issues such as licensing with the words “privileged communication.” They might also consider following e-discovery best practices (also under the IG domain), and conducting several careful reviews before sending documents out the door. In fact, as Debra Logan humorously suggested in one of her blog posts, the company might have benefited from having the character Roz from Monsters Inc. watch over their operations. You can find Roz here.
Now that I have done my IG due diligence, I want to let everyone know about some upcoming events. Our annual post-holiday member appreciation networking night is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 6 pm. The location will be the newly renovated Hurleys on 48th street in the theater district. We are also scheduling another CRM review class and our next ARMA @ Noon ( also January 24, 2012). February has ARMA@Noon scheduled for February 28th, 2012 at New York Life.
I would like to congratulate our past editor, Jason C. Stearns, and all those who have contributed to the Exchange, for winning the ARMA Newsletter of the Year award. Plaudits are also due for all chapter members and our past two Presidents, Melissa G. Dederer and Marcel Rodriguez, for winning the Chapter of the Year award. In addition, our chapter was one of only two that achieved the Gold Level Merit Award. For all of those who have been uninvolved or have been on hiatus, now is the time to join or rejoin the winning team and participate in a committee or task force. Remember, Roz is watching.
Have a happy and healthy holiday season!
Frank LaSorsa, CRM
President, ARMA Metropolitan New York City Chapter
Last updated: 12/12/2011