HCS HB 1397 -- COMPUTER SPYWARE (Pratt)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN:  Judiciary

This substitute establishes the Consumer Protection Against
Computer Spyware Act making it illegal for an unauthorized user
to intentionally modify the settings of a computer belonging to a
consumer, collect personally identifiable information from the
computer, prevent an authorized user's reasonable efforts to
block the installation of or disable installed software, remove
or disable security software installed on the computer, or take
control of the consumer's computer by transmitted commercial
electronic mail or a computer virus from the consumer's computer.
A manufacturer or retailer of computer equipment will not be
liable to the extent that the manufacturer or retailer is
providing third-party branded software loaded on the equipment
they are manufacturing or selling.  The substitute also makes it
a crime for anyone to assist or conspire with another to violate
the provisions of the substitute.  Any violation will be a class
B misdemeanor.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:43 am