email addresses obtained via server trespass/hack

[rebel1214]

Hello,

I am interested to know what, if any, law(s) were broken in the following. Please give specific court cases, laws, etc., that would back up the illegalities of this act.

Very simple - employee of company A worked to find specific directory and file where known email addresses of sales leads were stored on company B's server. This was done for various domains company B owns. Albeit there was little effort involved in this commission of this act, this data was obtained from company B's server without consent or permission of company B. Company A has used the obtained data for it's own gain.

 

[Proserpina]

Is this homework?

 

[rebel1214]

no, it is not homework

 

[army judge]

Hello,

I am interested to know what, if any, law(s) were broken in the following. Please give specific court cases, laws, etc., that would back up the illegalities of this act.

Very simple - employee of company A worked to find specific directory and file where known email addresses of sales leads were stored on company B's server. This was done for various domains company B owns. Albeit there was little effort involved in this commission of this act, this data was obtained from company B's server without consent or permission of company B. Company A has used the obtained data for it's own gain.

If this action was commenced against a company, you should speak with your corporate counsel about your company's legal position.
If you believe a crime has been committed against the company, you should also speak with your local law enforcement authorities.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

What you describe can result in both a civil lawsuit and criminal prosecution. In addition to federal laws (such as wiretap and communications acts which might be applicable), the civil lawsuit may also take on multiple causes of action, the most obvious being trespass in addition to other causes of action. This is a case that you need to hire a lawyer and may also utilize causes of action that will depend upon state law (the plaintiff/victim may choose choice of forum or the beneficial state to sue if this crossed state lines and also where the servers may be located... complicated stuff.)