Important news regarding TechPlanet CD Sets and security

Background:

Most of you are aware that the last few versions of the Technical Library and Support Zone CD sets did not contain any security protection. In fact, the Technical Library disks have never contained any password protection while prior Support Zone TICs did have password protection.

With the launch of TechPlanet and the first TechPlanet CD set, we thought it prudent to determine once and for all whether TechPlanet CDs should be secured. Creo’s Intellectual Property department assessed that there is information contained on the disks that could potentially compromise Creo Trade Secrets, should the disks fall into the wrong hands.

Creo’s legal department indicated that it is critical for the TechPlanet Services Team to develop a method to secure the information on CD in the most expedient manner possible. However, our legal department also recognized that the inclusion of such technology is not a trivial matter. Therefore for the interim, a legal agreement was drafted to mitigate any liability that might occur if any information contained on the disks was to end up being the foundation of a future lawsuit.

Reasoning:

The form is necessary to prove to the Courts that Creo has taken precautions to ensure that all recipients are aware of the confidential nature of the information contained on the disks, and that they are also aware of how to dispose of the disks once they are deemed no longer useful. In effect, we are proving that we have a Trade Secret Protection process. Without this proof, any legal proceedings defending our trade secrets in Court are greatly handicapped by allowing opposing parties to state that Creo has no reasonable process in place; therefore, we must have no real Trade Secrets. The intent of the form is not to intimidate or convey mistrust in our employees, it is solely for the purpose of the protection of Creo in the event of a lawsuit.

New Procedure:

The first TechPlanet CDs will be in the mail by Friday, March 22, 2002. With each CD set, there will be a form that MUST be signed by the recipient and returned to the recipient’s respective Team Lead. Team Leads will gather the forms and return them in batches to Creo Headquarters. CDs sent to distributors and resellers will include forms specific to that user group. Please note, anyone who doesn’t return a signed form will not receive the next version of the TechPlanet CD due in July. If you lose the form or your CD set is missing a form, please use the “Contact Us” button on the TechPlanet site to request another copy. If you are unclear as to how to proceed with either the forms or the CDs themselves, please contact Heidi Dysarsz directly at 604.451.2720 ext. 2705.

Timelines:

The Legal department has made it very clear that we need to continue this process with form mailouts each and every CD issue until we can develop adequate password or encryption technology to our disks. Our team has begun actively pursuing the options available to us but it is highly doubtful that we will be able to introduce CD security by the next release date at the end of June.

The TechPlanet Services Team regrets any inconveniences this new procedure will create but we do ask for your patience until technological challenges can be conquered and for your understanding that this procedure is based on legal obligations to maintain Creo Trade Secrets.

Heidi Dysarsz, TechPlanet Product Manager, 604.451.2705