A download protocol specifies who performs the extraction, using what hardware and software, with which parties present, how the original data is preserved, and how copies are distributed. It is typically negotiated between counsel or ordered by the court.
It also addresses whether the vehicle may be returned to service afterward.
Alternative Names:
Download Protocol, Data Extraction Protocol
Why it Matters?
Agreeing the protocol before anyone touches the vehicle prevents the two failures that recur in these cases: a unilateral download that the other side moves to exclude, and a delay during which the data overwrites. Because extraction requires manufacturer-specific tools and can alter stored data if performed incorrectly, the technician's qualifications belong in the protocol alongside the notice and observation terms.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What should a download protocol address?
What happens if one side downloads unilaterally?
