1. A method, performed by a first ownership entity that is in a first network system, the method comprising: storing a table that associates level indicators to ownership entities in one or more network systems; generating a data item and storing the data item in a first system of the one or more network systems; associating the data item with a first level indicator from the table, the first level indicator assigning ownership responsibility for the data item to the first ownership entity; storing the first level indicator in the first system as a tag with the data item; and associating the data item with a second level indicator and storing the second level indicator in the first system, the second level indicator assigning ownership responsibility for the data item to a second ownership entity; wherein the first and second level indicators assign hierarchical ownership responsibility for the data item to the first and second ownership entities.