On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, the United States Supreme Court denied certiorari in Nosal v. United States, 16-1344. Nosal asked the Court to determine whether a person violates the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act’s prohibition of accessing a computer “without authorization” when using someone else’s credentials (with that other user’s permission) after the owner of the computer expressly revoked the first person’s own access rights. In denying certiorari, the Court effectively killed the petitioner’s legal challenge to his conviction in a long-running case that we have extensively covered here, here, here, here, here, here, and here (among other places). The denial of certiorari leaves further development of the scope of the CFAA in the hands of the lower courts.
Continue Reading Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Password-Sharing Case, Leaving Scope of Criminal Liability Under Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Unclear

On April 11th, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the conviction and 41-month prison sentence of a Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) defendant, holding that he was tried and convicted in an improper venue.  U.S. v. Auernheimer, No. 13-1816 (3rd Cir. Apr. 11, 2014).  Though we usually do not post on procedural issues like these, we certainly
Continue Reading Third Circuit Signals Pro-Defendant Interpretation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act’s “Authorized Access” Provisions

The scope of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”), 18 U.S.C. § 1030, remains unsettled in the First Circuit after two decisions issued just weeks apart adopted differing approaches to the treatment of such claims.

The CFAA prohibits the intentional access of a computer without authorization or exceeding a party’s authorization to obtain information from a protected computer.  As
Continue Reading Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Claims in the First Circuit – Will the Narrow Approach Prevail?

A designer and marketer of stereophonic technology for presenting 3-D imaging on a computer screen recently sued some ex-employees in a California federal court for allegedly violating the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), among other claims. At some point, the ex-employees allegedly downloaded their former employer’s confidential computer code and provided it to their new employer, a competitor. 
Continue Reading California Federal Court Dismisses Computer Fraud and State Unfair Competition Claims Alleged Against Ex-Employees Accused Of Stealing Computer Source Code

By Gary Glaser and Jacob Oslick

An old folk melody describes the world as “a very narrow bridge,” where one misstep can bring disaster. The song seeks to inspire, calling on people to have “no fear at all” while crossing through life’s perils.

However inspiring this song might be, some metaphorical bridges just aren’t worth crossing. Trying to assert Computer
Continue Reading The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and Disloyal Employees: A Narrow Bridge To Nowhere?

The parties in the WEC Carolina Energy Solutions LLC v. Miller matter recently agreed to dismiss the petition for writ of certiorari filed with the United States Supreme Court, and as a result, the Court has dismissed the case. 

Accordingly, the circuit split regarding the ability of employers to use the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) to sue former
Continue Reading Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Circuit Split Remains Unresolved: United States Supreme Court Challenge Dismissed

A recent Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”) case from the Southern District of Mississippi further muddies the water with respect to the circuit split regarding the application of the law against former employees who violate computer usage policies or violate their duties of loyalty to their employers by stealing company data from company computer systems.

Unified Brands, Inc. (“Unified”),
Continue Reading Mississippi Federal District Court Allows Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Claim To Proceed Against Former Employee

By Robert Milligan and Joshua Salinas

As anticipated, the issue regarding the application of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”) against employees who violate their employer’s computer use policies and steal valuable company data may be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Last week, WEC Carolina Energy Solutions LLC (“WEC”) filed a petition for writ of certiorari before the
Continue Reading Employer Petitions U.S. Supreme Court to Resolve Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Circuit Split

On July 26, 2012, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decided WEC Carolina Energy Solutions LLC v. Miller, holding that departing employees are not liable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”) for mere violations of a company computer use policy. The Fourth Circuit’s decision solidifies the circuit split on whether employees who violate computer use policies and/or
Continue Reading Employers Beware: Fourth Circuit Adopts Narrow Interpretation of Computer Fraud and Abuse Act

By Robert Milligan and Joshua Salinas

The Solicitor General indicated yesterday that he will not file a petition for a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Nosal.

It was anticipated by some legal commentators that a Supreme Court decision in Nosal may resolve a deepening split between the Circuit Courts regarding the proper interpretation of
Continue Reading Solicitor General Decides Not To File Petition For Review In United States v. Nosal: Circuit Split On Computer Fraud And Abuse Act Remains