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{link: 'http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.uscongress/legislation.108hr4661',title: 'Thomas - Bill Summary and Status - H.R.4661' }

H.R.4661
Title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to discourage spyware, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Goodlatte, Bob [VA-6] (introduced 6/23/2004)      Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 10/8/2004 Received in the Senate.
House Reports: 108-698
Jump to: Summary, Major Actions, All Actions, Titles, Cosponsors, Committees, Related Bill Details, Amendments
SUMMARY AS OF:
10/7/2004--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization, or exceeding authorized access, by causing a computer program or code to be copied onto the protected computer, and intentionally using that program or code: (1) in furtherance of another Federal criminal offense; (2) to obtain or transmit personal information (including a Social Security number or other government-issued identification number, a bank or credit card number, or an associated password or access code) with intent to defraud or injure a person or cause damage to a protected computer; or (3) to impair the security protection of that computer.

Prohibits any person from bringing a civil action under State law premised upon the defendant's violating this Act.

Provides that this Act does not prohibit any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency or a U.S. intelligence agency.

Authorizes appropriations for each of FY 2005 through 2008 to the Attorney General for prosecutions needed to discourage the use of spyware (i.e., software that aids in gathering and sending information about a person or organization, or in asserting control over their computer, without their knowledge or consent) and the practice called phishing (i.e., using the websites of, or e-mails that appear to be sent from, well known legitimate businesses to deceive Internet users into revealing personal information that can be used to defraud those users).

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of Justice should use this Act and all other available tools to vigorously prosecute those who use spyware to commit crimes and those that conduct phishing scams.

MAJOR ACTIONS:

6/23/2004 Introduced in House
9/23/2004 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-698.
10/7/2004 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 0 (Roll no. 503).
10/8/2004 Received in the Senate.
ALL ACTIONS:
6/23/2004:
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
9/8/2004:
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
9/8/2004:
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
6/24/2004:
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1235)
9/23/2004 3:19pm:
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-698.
9/23/2004 3:19pm:
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 426.
10/6/2004 3:46pm:
Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
10/6/2004 3:46pm:
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8250-8252)
10/6/2004 3:46pm:
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4661.
10/6/2004 4:03pm:
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
10/7/2004 11:33am:
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8649-8650)
10/7/2004 11:41am:
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 0 (Roll no. 503). (text: CR 10/6/2004 H8250)
10/7/2004 11:42am:
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10/8/2004:
Received in the Senate.
TITLE(S):  (italics indicate a title for a portion of a bill)
COSPONSORS(3), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]:     (Sort: by date)

COMMITTEE(S):
RELATED BILL DETAILS:

AMENDMENT(S):

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