61 lines
2.3 KiB
Plaintext
61 lines
2.3 KiB
Plaintext
The following is the text of proposed federal legislation imposing
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possible fines, jail sentences and civil liability on purveyors of
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computer viruses and other harmful programs. The title of the Act is
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"The Computer Virus Eradication Act". It was sponsored during the
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1988 session of Congress by Congressman Wally Herger, 26th District,
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California.
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H.R.5061
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A BILL
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To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for persons
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interfering with the operations of computers through the use of
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programs containing hidden commands that can cause harm, and for
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other purposes.
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
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United Sates of America in Congress assembled.
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Section 1. Short Title.
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This Act may be cited as the "Computer Virus Eradication Act of
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1988".
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Section 2. Title 18 Amendment.
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(a) IN GENERAL.---Chapter 65 (relating to malicious mischief) of
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title 18, United Sates Code, is amended by adding at the end the
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following:
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"Sec. 1368. Disseminating computer viruses and other harmful
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computer programs
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"(a) Whoever knowingly---
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"(1) inserts into a program for a computer information or
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commands, knowing or having reason to believe that such information
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or commands will cause loss to users of a computer on which such
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program is run or to those who rely on information processed on such
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computer; and
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"(2) provides such program to others in circumstances in which
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those others do not know of the insertion or its effects;
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or attempts to do so, shall, if any of such conduct affects interstate or
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foreign commerce, be fined under this title or imprisoned not more
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than 10 years, or both.
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"(b) Whoever suffers loss by reason of a violation of subsection (a)
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may, in a civil action against the violator, obtain appropriate relief. In
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a civil action under this section, the court may award to a prevailing
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party a reasonable attorney's fee and other litigation expenses.".
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.---The table of sections at the
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beginning of chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
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adding at the end the following:
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"1368. Disseminating computer viruses and other harmful computer
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programs.".
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