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 The Minnesota Computer Crimes Law
follows, Section 609.87. */

SECTION 609.87 Computer crime, Definitions

Subdivision 1. Applicability. For purposes of section 609.87 to 
609.89, and section 609.891, the terms defined in this section 
have the meanings given them.

Subd. 2  "Access" means to instruct, communicate with, store data 
with, or retrieve data from a computer, computer system or 
computer network.

Subd. 3  "Computer" means an electronic device which performs 
logical, arithmetic or memory functions by the manipulations of 
signals, including but not limited to electronic or magnetic 
impulses.

Subd. 4. "Computer system" means related, connected or 
unconnected computers and peripheral equipment.

Subd. 5. "Computer network" means the interconnection of a 
communication system with a computer through a remote terminal, 
or with two or more interconnected computers or computer systems, 
and include private and public telecommunications networks. 

Subd. 6. "Property" includes but is not limited to electronically 
processed or produced data, and computer software and information 
contained in a computer or computer software in either machine or 
human readable form.

Subd. 7."Services" includes, but is not limited to, computer 
time, data processing and storage functions.

Subd. 8. "Computer program" means an instruction or statement or 
a series of instructions or statements, in a form acceptable to 
a computer, which directs the functioning of a computer system in 
a manner acceptable to a computer, which directs the functioning 
of a computer system in a manner designed to provide appropriate 
products from a computer.

Subd. 9. "Computer software" means a computer program or 
procedures, or associated documentation concerned with the 
operation of a computer.

Subd. 10. Loss. "Loss" means the greatest of the following:

(a) the retail market value of the property or services involved;

(b) the reasonable repair or replacement cost, whichever is less; 
or

(c) the reasonable value of the damage created by the 
unavailability or lack of utility o the property or services 
involved until repair or replacement can be effected.

Subd. 11. Computer security system. "Computer security system" 
means a software program or computer device that

(1) is intended to protect the confidentiality and secrecy of 
data and information stored in or accessible through the computer 
system; and

(2) displays a conspicuous warning to a user that the user is 
entering a secure system or requires a person seeking access to 
knowingly respond by use of an authorized code to the program or 
device in order to gain access.

Subd. 12. Destructive computer program. "Destructive computer 
program" means a computer program that performs a destructive 
function or produces a destructive product. A program performs a 
destructive function if it degrades performance of the affected 
computer, associate peripheral or a computer program; disables 
the computer, associated peripherals or a computer program; or 
destroys or alters computer programs or data. A program produces 
a destructive product if it produces unauthorized data, including 
data that make computer memory space unavailable results in the 
unauthorized alteration of data or computer programs; or produces 
a destructive computer program, including a self-replicating 
computer program.

Section 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 
608.87, subdivision 6;

(b) Intentionally  and without authorization and 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 ir 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 $ 700, or both.

Section 609.89. Computer theft

Subdivision 1. Acts. Whoever does nay of the following is guilty 
of computer theft and may be sentenced as provided in subdivision 
2:

(a) Intentionally and without authorization or claim of right 
access or causes to be accessed any computer, computer system, 
computer network or any part thereof for the purpose of obtaining 
services or property; or

(b) Intentionally and without claim of right, and with intent to 
permanently deprive the owner of possession, takes, transfers, 
conceals or retain possession of any computer, computer system, 
pr any computer software or data contained in a computer, 
computer system, or computer network.

Subd. 2. Penalty. Anyone who commits computer theft 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 $ 700, or both.

609.891. Unauthorized computer access

Subdivision 1. Crime. A person is guilty of unauthorized computer 
access if the person intentionally and without authority attempts 
to or does penetrate a computer security system.

Subd. 2. Felony. (a) A person who violates subdivision 1 in a 
manner that creates a grave risk of causing the death of a person 
is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to a term of 
imprisonment of not more than ten years or to payment of a fine 
of not more than $ 20,000, or both.

(b) A person who is convicted of a second or subsequent gross 
misdemeanor violation of subdivision 1 is guilty of a felony and 
may be sentenced under paragraph (a).

Subd. 3. Gross misdemeanor. (a) A person who violates subdivision 
1 in a manner that creates a risk to public health and safety is 
guilty of a gross misdemeanor and may be sentenced to 
imprisonment for a term of not more than one year or to payment of 
a fine of not more than $ 3,000, or both.

(b) A person who violates subdivision 1 in a manner that 
compromises the security of data that are protected under section 
609.52, subdivision 2, clause (8), or are not public public data 
as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 8a, is guilty of a gross 
misdemeanor and may be sentenced under paragraph (a).

Subd. 4. Misdemeanor. A person who violates subdivision 1 is 
guilty of a misdemeanor and may be sentenced to imprisonment for 
a term of not more than 90 days or to payment of a fine of not 
more than more than $ 700, or both.

Section 609.892, Definitions

Subdivision 1. Applicability. The definitions in this section 
apply to sections 237.73, 609.892, and 609.893.

Subd. 2. Access device. "Access device. "Access device" means a 
card, plate, code, account number, or other means of account 
access that can be used, alone or in conjunction with another 
access device that can be used, alone or in conjunction with 
another access device, to obtain telecommunications service.

Subd. 3. Credit card number. "Credit card number" means the card 
number appearing on a credit card that is an identification card 
or plate issued to a person by a supplier of telecommunications 
services that permits the person to whom the card has been issued 
to obtain telecommunication service on credit. The term includes 
the number or description of the card or plate even if the card 
or plate itself is not produced when obtaining telecommunications 
service.

Subd. 4. Telecommunications device. "Telecommunications device" 
means an instrument, apparatus, equipment mechanism, operating 
procedure, or code designed or adapted for a particular use and 
that is intended or can be used in violation of section 609.893. 
The term includes but is not limited to computer hardware, 
software, programs, electronic mail system, voice mail system, 
identification validation system, private branch exchange, or any 
other means of facilitating telecommunications service.

Subd. 5. Telecommunications provider. "Telecommunications 
provider" means a person, firm, association, or a corporation, 
private or municipal, owing, operating, or managing facilities 
used to provide telecommunications service.

Subd. 6. Telecommunications service. "Telecommunications service" 
means a service, that, in exchange for a pecuniary consideration 
provides or offers to provide transmission of messages, signals, 
facsimiles, or other communication between persons who are 
physically separated from each other by telephone, telegraph, 
cable, wire, fiber optic cable, or the projection of energy 
without physical connection. This applies when the 
telecommunications service originates or ends or bother 
originates and ends in this state.

Subd. 7. Telephone company. "Telephone company" means a 
telecommunications provider that provides local exchange 
telecommunications service.

Section 609.893. telecommunications and information services 
fraud; crime defined

Subdivision 1. Obtaining services by fraud. A person commits 
telecommunications and information services fraud and may be 
sentenced as provided in subdivision 3 if the person, with intent 
to evade a lawful charge, obtains telecommunications service for 
the person's own use by any fraudulent means.

Subd. 2. Facilitation of telecommunications fraud. A person 
commits a felony and may be sentenced as provided in subdivision 
4 who:

(1) makes available to another, or offers or advertises to make 
available, a telecommunications device or information in order to 
facilitate violation of subdivision 1 by another; or

(2) makes, assembles, or possesses a telecommunications device 
that is designed or adapted to violate subdivision 1 or to 
conceal from a provider o telecommunications services or from a 
lawful authority, the existence or place of origin or destination 
of telecommunications service.

Subd. 3. Fraud. (a) Whoever commits telecommunications and 
information services fraud in violation of subdivision 1 may be 
sentenced as follows:

(1) to imprisonment for not more than ten years or to payment of 
a fine of not more than $ 20,000, or both, if the value o the 
services is in excess of $ 2,500;

(2) to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of 
a fine of not more than $ 10,000, or both, if the value of the 
services is more than $ 500 but not more than $ 2,500; or

(3) in all other cases, to imprisonment for not more than 90 days 
or to payment of a fine o not more than $ 700, or both.

(b) Amounts involved in a violation of paragraph (a) under one 
scheme or course of conduct, whether from the same credit card 
number or several numbers, may be aggregated in determining the 
classification of the offense.

Subd. 4. Facilitation of fraud. Whoever violates subdivision 2 is 
guilty of a felony and may be sentenced ot imprisonment for not 
more than five years or to a payment of a fine of not more than $ 
10,,00, or both. 

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