Aaron Swartz hit with 9 more felony charges in MIT hacking case

Re:Aaron Swartz hit with 9 more felony charges in MIT hackin... by danielweber on Wednesday September 19, 2012 @04:25PM (#4545407)

A "protected computer" has a specific definition, and "a website" doesn't necessarily meet it.

tptacek knows the CFAA pretty well for a non-lawyer. It doesn't mean he's always right, but you should be careful if you're trying to trip him up.

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Re:Aaron Swartz hit with 9 more felony charges in MIT hackin... by tptacek on Wednesday September 19, 2012 @04:31PM (#4545433)

I think he might be right.

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Re:Aaron Swartz hit with 9 more felony charges in MIT hackin... by ja27 on Wednesday September 19, 2012 @09:52PM (#4546577)

"Protected computer" is an incredibly broad term that covers almost any modern computer or device:

(2) the term “protected computer” means a computer— ... (B) which is used in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or communication, including a computer located outside the United States that is used in a manner that affects interstate or foreign commerce or communication of the United States;

I can't imagine they'd ever prosecute anything below the $5,000 mark but even a candy bar sized loss does appear to fall into the federal domain. (Not saying I agree with it, but that's how the interstate commerce clause has been applied in almost every case.)

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