Category Archives: Computer Fraud and Abuse Act

Tharpe v. Lawidjaja, 2014 WL 1268820 (W.D. Va. Mar. 26, 2014): Court’s dicta reaffirms that use of spyware can violate the CFAA and ECPA

Court’s dicta reaffirms that use of spyware can violate the CFAA and ECPA In footnote 34 of Tharpe v. Lawidjaja, 2014 WL 1268820 (W.D. Va. Mar. 26, 2014), the court cites an unpublished opinion of the Fourth Circuit and states: “As Defendant acknowledges, the installation and use of spyware is potentially a criminal act. See, e.g., United States …

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Pinnacle Ins. Solutions, LLC v. Kolbe, 2014 WL 1272212 (D. N.J. Mar. 27, 2014)

Pinnacle Ins. Solutions, LLC v. Kolbe, 2014 WL 1272212 (D. N.J. Mar. 27, 2014) Federal court abstains from hearing CFAA case in favor of parallel state court proceeding Company insider is accused of passing sensitive information to competitor, directing potential clients away from employer and impugning employer’s reputation. Insider resigns. Former employer sued in state …

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New South Equipment Mats, LLC v. Keener, 2013 WL 5946371 (S.D. Miss. Nov. 5, 2013)

New South Equipment Mats, LLC v. Keener, 2013 WL 5946371 (S.D. Miss. Nov. 5, 2013) When is “damage” an essential element of a Computer Fraud and Abuse Act violation? “Damage” to a computer is an essential element to any Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claim made pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5): (A) knowingly causes the …

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Absolute Energy Solutions, LLC v. Trosclair, 2014 WL 360503 (S.D. Tex. Feb. 3, 2014)

Case: Absolute Energy Solutions, LLC v. Trosclair, 2014 WL 360503 (S.D. Tex. Feb. 3, 2014) Disputed issue of whether access was authorized for CFAA claim cannot be decided on motion to dismiss. Access Principles Motion to dismiss Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claim arguing that plaintiff’s allegations that defendants were not authorized to access plaintiff’s computers …

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Deman Data Systems, LLC v. Schessel, 2014 WL 408443 (M.D. Fla. Feb. 3, 2014)

Deman Data Systems, LLC v. Schessel, 2014 WL 408443 (M.D. Fla. Feb. 3, 2014) How far does a CFAA claim’s supplemental jurisdiction over state law claims extend? A federal court has non-exclusive federal question subject matter jurisdiction over 18 U.S.C. § 1030 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claims and supplemental jurisdiction over all state claims which …

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Dice Corporation v. Bold Technologies, 12-2513, 13-1712 (6th Cir. Jan. 24, 2014)

Dice Corporation v. Bold Technologies, 12-2513, 13-1712 (6th Cir. Jan. 24, 2014) Summary Does a person violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act by accessing a remote computer without authorization if he is not aware that he is even accessing that remote computer? The Sixth Circuit says no. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act prohibits …

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Envisn, Inc. v. Davis, 2013 WL 6571944 (D. Mass. Dec. 12, 2013)

Envisn, Inc. v. Davis, 2013 WL 6571944 (D. Mass. Dec. 12, 2013) Former employer (plaintiff) sued former employee who downloaded the company’s proprietary software and confidential information to her home computer just before resigning her employment. Plaintiff sued for violation of § 1030(a)(4) of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act which prohibits one from “knowingly and …

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Brooks v. AM Resorts, LLC, 2013 WL 3343993 (E.D. Pa. July 3, 2013)

Brooks v. AM Resorts, LLC, 2013 WL 3343993 (E.D. Pa. July 3, 2013) An employee was fired from his job and several months later the employer revealed that it had been receiving privileged emails between the former employee and his attorney concerning the firing. Employee sued for violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, inter …

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United States v. Nosal, 930 F. Supp.2d 1051 (N.D. Ca. Mar. 12, 2013)

United States v. Nosal, 930 F. Supp.2d 1051 (N.D. Ca. Mar. 12, 2013) (9th Cir) This is another in the saga of Nosal cases, this time an Order Denying the Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss the charges against the defendant for aiding and abetting his co-conspirators. These charges were brought subsequent to the Nosal I and Nosal II cases and …

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Matot v. CH, 2013 WL 5431586 (D. Or. Sept. 26, 2013)

Matot v. CH, 2013 WL 5431586 (D. Or. Sept. 26, 2013) Plaintiff was an assistant principal at a middle school who sued students who created a parody Facebook account of him, as well as their parents, for violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss, which was granted as Plaintiff …

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