Section 609.88 Computer Damage - Minnesota Statutes

609.88 COMPUTER DAMAGE.

Subdivision 1.Acts.

Whoever does any of the following is guilty of computer damage and may be sentenced as provided in subdivision 2:

(a) intentionally and without authorization damages or destroys any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, or any other property specifically defined in section 609.87, subdivision 6;

(b) intentionally and without authorization or with intent to injure or defraud alters any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, or any other property specifically defined in section 609.87, subdivision 6; or

(c) distributes a destructive computer program, without authorization and with intent to damage or destroy any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, or any other property specifically defined in section 609.87, subdivision 6.

Subd. 2.Penalty.

Whoever commits computer damage may be sentenced as follows:

(a) To imprisonment for not more than ten years or to payment of a fine of not more than $50,000, or both, if the damage, destruction or alteration results in a loss in excess of $2,500, to the owner, or the owner's agent, or lessee;

(b) To imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both, if the damage, destruction or alteration results in a loss of more than $500, but not more than $2,500 to the owner, or the owner's agent or lessee; or

(c) In all other cases to imprisonment for not more than 90 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

History:

1982 c 534 s 2; 1984 c 628 art 3 s 11; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 159 s 2; 1994 c 636 art 2 s 51; 2004 c 228 art 1 s 72