Title: Flying into the hurricane: law, policy and practice implications of cloud computing

Authors: Eugene Clark; Ian M. Sims

Addresses: College of Comparative Law, China University of Political Science and Law, Xueyuan Lu Campus: 25 Xitucheng Lu, Haidian District, Beijing 100088, China; Charlotte School of Law, 2145 Suttle Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28208, USA. ' Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia

Abstract: The 1960s was the era of mainframe computing and the 1970s the era of mini-computing and business logic applications. The 1980s ushered in client/server computing and the 1990s desktop computing. In the early 2000s, we are experiencing the age of cloud computing. This article defines and outlines the advantages and models of cloud computing in its various forms. It surveys the legal risks inherent in this form of computing and suggests ways in which these risks can best be managed. Finally, the article suggests avenues for future investigation and reform so that the storms may be avoided and the promised silver linings achieved.

Keywords: cloud computing; internet; intellectual property; contract law; privacy; data protection; jurisdiction; drafting of contracts; risk management; technology standards; ICT governance; electronic discovery; international law; legal risks; technology policy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPL.2012.050212

International Journal of Technology Policy and Law, 2012 Vol.1 No.2, pp.135 - 151

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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