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Florida statute

Fla. Stat. § 815.04 — Offenses against intellectual property

Current through 2025 Florida Statutes

Part of Chapter 815: Computer-related Crimes, Florida Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Fla. Stat. § 815.04

Statutory text current through the 2025 Florida Statutes. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Florida.

Fla. Stat. § 815.04Primary source, current through the 2025 Florida Statutes
(1) A person who willfully, knowingly, and without authorization introduces a computer contaminant or modifies or renders unavailable data, programs, or supporting documentation residing or existing internal or external to a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device commits an offense against intellectual property. (2) A person who willfully, knowingly, and without authorization destroys data, programs, or supporting documentation residing or existing internal or external to a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device commits an offense against intellectual property. (3) A person who willfully, knowingly, and without authorization discloses or takes data, programs, or supporting documentation that is a trade secret as defined in s. 812.081 or is confidential as provided by law residing or existing internal or external to a computer, computer system, computer network, or electronic device commits an offense against intellectual property. (4)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an offense against intellectual property is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.(b) If the offense is committed for the purpose of devising or executing any scheme or artifice to defraud or to obtain any property, the person commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is offenses against intellectual property a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?

It depends on the circumstances: offenses against intellectual property ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 815.04.

Offense against intellectual property — base offense: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 815.04(4)(a)) · Offense against intellectual property — committed to defraud or obtain property: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 815.04(4)(b))

Which Florida statute covers offenses against intellectual property?

Offenses against intellectual property is governed by Fla. Stat. § 815.04 (Offenses against intellectual property).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.