Economic Espionage Act of 1996

Economic Espionage Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit wrongfully copying or otherwise controlling economic proprietary information: (1) with intent to, or with reason to believe that the offense will, benefit any foreign government, instrumentality, or agent or disadvantage any owner of proprietary economic information that is related to or included in a product produced for or placed in interstate or foreign commerce; or (2) with intent to divert that information to the use or benefit of anyone other than the owner. Sets penalties for violation of such provision, including forfeiture of property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained as the result of such violation. Directs the court, in any prosecution or other proceeding pursuant to this Act, to take such action as necessary and appropriate to preserve the confidentiality of proprietary economic information. Includes economic espionage among the offenses with respect to which the Attorney General may authorize an application for, and a Federal judge may grant, an order authorizing interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications.

Congressional Research Service · 1996-06-26