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Smyth vs. Pillsbury 1996

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Smyth vs. Pillsbury 1996
The Smyth v. Pillsbury 1996 case is one concerning cyber law. The plaintiff, Smyth, stated he was wrongfully terminated by The Pillsbury Company due to public policy and the right to privacy. Smyth utilized the company’s email system and sent emails to his supervisor from home. These emails contained “inappropriate and unprofessional” comments concerning the defendant. (Michael A. Smyth v. The Pillsbury Company, 1996).
The courts found that the termination was not violating any privacy laws. The courts applied the case of Borse v. Piece Goods Shop, Inc. 1992 to the Smyth case. In the Borse case, the courts found that someone who intentionally intrudes on another either physically or by some other manner, which concerns their private affairs, to be held liable if this intrusion is considered highly offensive to any reasonable person. (Sarah Borse vs. Piece Goods Shop, Inc., 1992). The email communication between Smyth and his supervisor was done voluntarily by Smyth, he had done so on his own free will. The second assumption by the courts is that there is no assurance that emails sent over the company system would not be interrupted by others. The third notion is the email system is used companywide so the expectation of these staying private is lost. (Samson, 2013). The courts stated that the interested of the company preventing illegal activity, inappropriate and unprofessional comments over the email system outweighs the privacy interest of any employee. (Michael A. Smyth v. The Pillsbury Company, 1996).
Bibliography
Sarah Borse v. Piece Goods Shop, Inc., 91-1197 (United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit May 29, 1992).
Michael A. Smyth v. The Pillsbury Company, 95-5712 (United States Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania January 23, 1996).
Samson, M. (2013). Michael A. Smyth v. The Pillsbury Company. Retrieved 10 10,

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