Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California
Employee Theft
If an employee plugs a USB key into a business machine, does the company have the right to view the contents of the key and or take the key if information belonging to the company is found on it?
Asked on 8/31/05, 4:31 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone
Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE
Re: Employee Theft
I doubt there is any case law on point. If I were the judge I would rule against the employer because they could block insertion of removable USB memory if they so desired, and the employee has a reasonable expectation of privacy in the contents of his or her thumb drive.
Answered on 8/31/05, 11:09 pm