I-SPY Act (H.R. 744)

On May 23, 2005, the House passed the I-SPY Act, which would create a limited preemption of state tort law. The bill would establish criminal penalties for those who use spyware for illegal purposes. It would also preempt civil actions that are based on violations of this new federal criminal law in state courts. It does not, however, prevent a state from passing a similar law, nor does it prevent any lawsuits that are premised on existing state laws.

Sources: H.R. 744, Sec. 2.