Federal Cybercrime Code and Regulations

A.  Federal Criminal Code Related to Computer Crime

• 18 U.S.C. § 1028.  Fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents, authentication features, and information
• 18 U.S.C. § 1029.  Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Access Devices
• 18 U.S.C. § 1030.  Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Computers
  • computer trespassing (e.g., hacking) in a government computer, 18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(3);
  • computer trespassing (e.g., hacking) resulting in exposure to certain governmental, credit, financial, or computer-housed information, 18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(2);
  • damaging a government computer, a bank computer, or a computer used in, or affecting, interstate or foreign commerce (e.g., a worm, computer virus, Trojan horse, time bomb, a denial of service attack, and other forms of cyber attack, cyber crime, or cyber terrorism), 18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(5);
  • committing fraud an integral part of which involves unauthorized access to a government computer, a bank computer, or a computer used in, or affecting, interstate or foreign commerce, 18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(4);
  • threatening to damage a government computer, a bank computer, or a computer used in, or affecting, interstate or foreign commerce, 18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(7);
  • trafficking in passwords for a government computer, or when the trafficking affects interstate or foreign commerce, 18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(6); and
  • accessing a computer to commit espionage, 18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(1).
• 18 U.S.C. § 1343. Fraud by wire, radio, or television
• 18 U.S.C. § 1362.  Communication Lines, Stations, or Systems
• 18 U.S.C. § 2511 et seq.  Wire and Electronic Communications Interception and Interception of Oral Communications
• 18 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.  Unlawful access to stored communications
• 18 U.S.C. § 3121 et seq. General prohibition on pen register and trap and trace device use; exception

B.  Federal Statutes Protecting Intellectual Property Rights

Copyright Offenses

• Copyright and Related Offenses
  • 17 U.S.C. 506 / 18 U.S.C. 2319 - Criminal copyright infringement
  • 18 U.S.C. 2318 - Counterfeit and illicit labels for copyrighted works
  • 18 U.S.C. 2319A - Unauthorized fixation of and trafficking in sound recordings and music videos of live musical performances
  • 18 U.S.C. 2319B - Unauthorized recording of Motion pictures in a Motion picture exhibition facility
  • 18 U.S.C. 2319C - Illicit digital transmission services
• Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
  • 17 U.S.C. 1201 - Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems
  • 17 U.S.C. 1202 - Integrity of Copyright Management Information
  • 17 U.S.C. 1203 - Civil Remedies
  • 17 U.S.C. 1204 - Criminal Penalties for Violations of 1201, 1202
  • 17 U.S.C. 1205 - Savings Clause
• Trademark Offenses
  • 18 U.S.C. 2320 (Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods and Services)
• Economic Espionage Act (18 U.S.C. § 1831 et seq.; see separate discussion of the E.E.A.)
  • 18 U.S.C. 1831 (Economic Espionage)
  • 18 U.S.C. 1832 (Theft of Trade Secrets)
  • 18 U.S.C. 1833, Exceptions to prohibitions
  • 18 U.S.C. 1834, Criminal forfeiture
  • 18 U.S.C. 1835, Orders to Preserve Confidentiality
  • 18 U.S.C. 1836, Civil proceedings to enjoin violations
  • 18 U.S.C. 1837, Applicability to conduct outside the United States
  • 18 U.S.C. 1838, Construction with Other Laws
  • 18 U.S.C. 1839, Definitions
• Other Offenses Often Applicable in IP Cases
  • 18 U.S.C. 1341 (Mail Fraud)
  • 18 U.S.C. 1343 (Wire Fraud)
  • 18 U.S.C. 2512 (Trafficking in Interception Devices)
  • 47 U.S.C. 553 (Unauthorized Reception of Cable Service)
  • 47 U.S.C. 605 (Unauthorized Publication of Use of Communications)

Offenses Relating to the Integrity of IP Systems

• 17 U.S.C. 506(c-e), Fraudulent Copyright Notice; Fraudulent Removal of Copyright Notice, and False representation
• 18 U.S.C. 497, Letters patent
• 35 U.S.C. 292, False marking

C.  Sentencing Guidelines Relevant to Cybercrime

• IP Sentencing Guidelines
  
  
• Sentencing Guidelines that Apply to Computer Hacking Offenses

D.  Searching and Seizing Computers

• Below are links to current (post-USA PATRIOT Act) versions of Federal statutes governing computer search and seizure and electronic evidence-gathering:

  • 18 U.S.C. § 2510 -  Definitions
  • 18 U.S.C. § 2511 -  Interception and disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications prohibited
  • 18 U.S.C. § 2701 -  Unlawful Access to Stored Communications
  • 18 U.S.C. § 2702 -  Disclosure of Contents
  • 18 U.S.C. § 2703 -  Requirements for Governmental Access
  • 18 U.S.C. § 2705 -  Delayed notice
  • 18 U.S.C. § 2711.   Definitions
  • 42 U.S.C. § 2000aa.   Searches and seizures by government officers and employees in connection with the investigation or prosecution of criminal offenses

E. Cyberstalking

• 18 U.S.C. § 875, Interstate communications
• 18 U.S.C. § 2261A, Interstate stalking
• 47 U.S.C. § 223, Obscene or harassing telephone calls in the District of Columbia or in interstate or foreign communications

Don't hesitate to get in touch with us with any questions you may have regarding our Litigation Support or Technical Investigations Services. For additional information on U.S. Department of Justice cybercrime initiatives, please connect to the DOJ Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.

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