When Your Computer Needs a Lawyer Possible liability for negligence, for other torts (such as slander of credit) and for liability under theories of express or implied warranty (guarantees) are discussed, and legal complications are explained, so that users, operators, owners, and leasors of computers may be alerted to potential legal problems. Focus is also on trouble spots in contracting for data processing services, in automating record keeping operations, in deciding whether or not to automate certain operations, and in complying with statutes and regulation relating to record keeping. Information is given on patents, copyrights and trade secret protection for programs, and the problem of using copyrighted material in information storage and retrieval systems, including the pending copyright and patent revision bills. CACM August, 1968 Banzhaf III, J. F. law, legal, lawyer, liability, torts, negligence, contracts, warrantees, guarantees, accounting, regulations, simulation, income tax, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, standard of care, slander of credit, crime, criminals, record keeping records, evidence, copying 1.3 2.11 2.12 2.2 3.33 CA680803 JB February 22, 1978 11:12 AM 1711 4 1711 1711 4 1711 997 5 1711 1001 5 1711 1711 5 1711 1711 5 1711 1711 5 1711