Bill Introduced to Congress Would Allow ID Theft Restitution

verybadradio writes with an article at News.com about a bill introduced into Congress that would allow citizens who have been victimized by identity theft to seek repayment for the money and time spent repairing their credit history. The bill was introduced by Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Republican Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. "Last year, 8.4 million Americans were victims of identity theft, and many were left with a bad credit report, which takes months or years to repair, the lawmakers said ... The bill would also eliminate a requirement that the loss resulting from damage to a victim's computer must exceed $5,000 for prosecution; make it a felony to use spyware or keyloggers to damage 10 or more computers; and expand the definition of cybercrime to include extortion schemes that threaten to damage or access confidential information on a computer."

Rejected...

[InvisblePinkUnicorn]

The article continues: "The USPTO immediately rejected Mr. Leahy's proposal as obvious."

Re:Why ten?

[pintpusher]

It should be 10 computers, as in one more than 1 computer.

Re:Wow...

[Anonymous Coward]

If they mention "think about the kids" it will pass

OT: SCHIP

[Kadin2048]

That didn't work for SCHIP.

Yes, I have to admit that outbreak of common sense on the part of the Executive Branch was unexpected, to say the least.