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No Electronic Theft Act

In plain terms. The No Electronic Theft Act of 1997 closed a loophole by criminalizing willful copyright infringement even where the infringer derives no commercial gain. It expanded criminal liability for digital distribution of copyrig…

Last reviewedJune 7, 2026Version v1

In plain terms. The No Electronic Theft Act of 1997 closed a loophole by criminalizing willful copyright infringement even where the infringer derives no commercial gain. It expanded criminal liability for digital distribution of copyrighted works.

Citation. Pub. L. 105-147 (Dec. 16, 1997); 17 U.S.C. § 506; 18 U.S.C. § 2319.