Guest Column: Email--Not Just Communication But A Legal Document Of Record

By James Koopmann, DCIG Inc.

The Internet has become so ingrained in everyday business that I'd venture to say not many of us even think about communicating or conducting everyday business with hardcopy anymore. Tracking documents through the standard U.S. postal service mailing options (registered or return receipt) has given way to a variety of sending and receiving options for email. Senders of emails will often attach documents, carbon and blind copy themselves as well as include large distribution lists--leaving emails scattered within inboxes, outboxes, or personal folders on local, network, and backup media.