Lawffice Links - Who Owns LinkedIn Accounts?

What happens when an employee uses a LinkedIn account for professional and personal use, shares the password with a co-worker, and then leaves the company? If you guessed "a lawsuit over ownership of the LinkedIn account" then you are correct! The Court ultimately allowed the ex-employee's state misappropriation claims to move forward, while axing her federal statutory claims for failure to prove damages.

I baked some fresh Lawffice Links with more details:

• The Eastern District of Pennsylvania's opinion in Eagle v. Moran.
• James Gibbons: Who Owns Your LinkedIn Account?
• Jon Hyman: Employers or Employees: Who Owns Social Media Accounts?
• Eric Meyer: Does the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act cover lost LinkedIn business opportunities?
• Molly DiBianca: E.D. Pa. Rules on Ownership of LinkedIn Account in Eagle v. Moran. 

Bottom line: Employers should expressly lay out these issues in writing upon creation of the account. If employees don't want their LinkedIn accounts taken - don't share the password.