[MichaelGG]

The USPS was pitching email services like a decade ago. The argument was exactly that -- tampering with their emails would be a federal offense.

I don't understand why in this case, MS couldn't have easily gotten a subpoena, anyways.

[kevingadd]

You can't get a subpoena issued against yourself any more than you can sue yourself. This should be obvious...

[aroch]

Well, yes you can...one branch of a company could legally compel (and would if there are separate privacy policies) another to give up information as part of an investigation.

[jasomill]

Even if the branches aren't distinct legal entities? IANAL, but according to Microsoft Deputy Counsel John Frank, "Courts do not issue orders authorizing someone to search themselves" [1].

[1] http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/03/arrest-of-secret-...

[aroch]

You're not asking for a search warrant, you're asking to be allowed ('compelled') to look at a specific business record that groupA made but isn't accessible to groupB without permission of record_creater, UserX, or court order. Basically you're asking the court to say its OK to go around privacy or contractual obligations in order to investigate something.