In 'cloud' case appeal, Microsoft calls on Congress to define limits of US investigative reach

Microsoft wants a federal appeals court this week to agree that the United States reached too far when it sought a customer's emails that are stored in Ireland.

The Redmond, Washington-based software company will argue Wednesday that the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan should overturn a lower court ruling that grants U.S. narcotics investigators authority to review the customer's email records. Microsoft stores those records in Dublin.

In court papers, Microsoft has called on Congress to better define when the United States can seek records overseas.

U.S. prosecutors say in court filings that two judges ruled correctly in allowing the records search. They say the records can be accessed by Microsoft employees based in the United States and laws permit such access for criminal probes.