Patent ID: 8429207

Claim:
An archival data storage system comprising: a plurality of removable drives for storing archival data, each removable drive comprising a data cartridge case and memory configured to store the archival data; a plurality of drive ports, each drive port including a data cartridge connector configured to mate with one of the removable drives in order to communicate with the memory, wherein: each drive port is in communication with a server for receiving the archival data; and each drive port is separately addressable for sending the archival data to the memory for storage; a database for storing an audit trail for archival actions associated with the archival data; and an archival management system in communication with the server and the database, the archival management system configured to: receive requests for archival actions from the server; create new entries in the audit trail for requests to store new archival data; identify existing entries in the audit trail for requests associated with previously stored archival data; and place a legal hold on archival data pertinent to a court case.