You've likely heard the term "cloud computing."
But what is it? And how do you avoid legal lightning strikes? Cloud
computing is a service model that enables ubiquitous access to
ondemand software services, typically through a shared pool of
configurable servers. The service model allows users of the
"cloud" to gain access to software solutions and services
from any location with internet access through mobile devices,
tablets, laptops, and workstations - and can efficiently bring
additional resources on-stream as needed.
The "cloud" phenomenon is not entirely new: the IT
industry has been moving in this direction for a decade. However,
there has been a recent surge in consumer interest and
technological capacity to provide such services. Of course, the
legal issues that are engaged when using the "cloud"
depend on a number of variables, such as the industry, the type of
service, the service model, and whether it is a "public"
or "private" cloud. If you are
