That thingeveryonedoes ? It ’s now a federal crime . At least , that’sthe opinion issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit , who said earlier this month that password sharing violates the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act ( CFAA ) . Though , this did n’t start as something focused on the kind of parole communion where you ’re 30 and using your parents ' HBO Go password because you ’re too cheap to get your own story .
It started in 2004 when David Nosal , an employee at the recruiting house Korn / Ferry , left the society . He stuck around as a contractor and was stealing information from the company using the log - in credentials of a former supporter who was still with the company . Nosal want to start his own company with his former company ’s datum . He was also probably plan on not being catch .
Nosal was indict by the administration in 2008 and his appeals come to an closing on July 6 of this year . He was charged with conspiracy , theft of trade mystery , and three counts of plunder the CFAA .
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In its ruling , the Court wrote , " The instrument panel held that the defendant , a former employee whose computer entree credentials were revoked , act ‘ without authority ’ in violation of the CFAA when he or his former employee co - plotter used the login credentials of a current employee to bring in accession to calculator data point possess by the former employer and to fudge the revocation of access . "
Determining that Nosal violated the CFAA sets an interesting precedent , one that was not lost on 9th Circuit judge Stephen Reinhardt , who wrote in his objection that a narrow sight on password sharing is a dangerous path to step .
" In my view , the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act ( “ CFAA ” ) does not make the one thousand thousand of multitude who engage in this ubiquitous , useful , and broadly harmless conduct into unwitting Union felon , " said Reinhardt . " Whatever other liability , felonious or civil , Nosal may have incurred in his improper attempt to compete with his former employer , he has not violate the CFAA . "
Thousands of mass watchingGame of Throneson someone else ’s account nodded in agreement .
Are you going to be tried for using a roommate ’s Netflix parole calendar month after they ’ve moved out ? in all likelihood not . Both HBO CEO Richard Plepler andNetflix CEO Reed Hastingshave said that they ’re fine with password sharing . Plepler , telling Buzzfeedthat he ’s not concerned about it , say that he ’s " in the business of creating addicts . " Though , that does n’t close out the possible action that they become implicated about watchword sharing in the future .
