West Virginia Code 61-3C-2 – Legislative findings
The Legislature finds that:
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 61-3C-2
- computer: includes any connected or directly related device, equipment, or facility which enables the computer to store, retrieve, or communicate computer programs, computer data, or the results of computer operations to or from a person, another computer, or another device, file servers, mainframe systems, desktop personal computers, laptop personal computers, tablet personal computers, cellular telephones, game consoles, and any other electronic data storage device or equipment, but such term does not include an automated typewriter or typesetter, a portable hand-held calculator, or other similar device. See West Virginia Code 61-3C-3
- Computer data: means any representation of knowledge, facts, concepts, instruction, or other information computed, classified, processed, transmitted, received, retrieved, originated, stored, manifested, measured, detected, recorded, reproduced, handled, or utilized by a computer, computer network, computer program, or computer software, and may be in any medium, including, but not limited to, computer printouts, microfilm, microfiche, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, punch paper tape, or punch cards, or it may be stored internally in read-only memory or random access memory of a computer or any other peripheral device. See West Virginia Code 61-3C-3
- Computer resources: includes , but is not limited to, information retrieval. See West Virginia Code 61-3C-3
- Computer software: means a set of computer programs, procedures, and associated documentation concerned with computer data or with the operation of a computer, computer program, or computer network. See West Virginia Code 61-3C-3
- State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
(a) The computer and related industries play an essential role in the commerce and welfare of this state.
(b) Computer-related crime is a growing problem in business and government.
(c) Computer-related crime has a direct effect on state commerce and can result in serious economic and, in some cases, physical harm to the public.
(d) Because of the pervasiveness of computers in today's society, opportunities are great for computer related crimes through the introduction of false records into a computer or computer system, the unauthorized use of computers and computer facilities, the alteration and destruction of computers, computer programs and computer data, and the theft of computer resources, computer software and computer data.
(e) Because computers have now become an integral part of society, the Legislature recognizes the need to protect the rights of owners and legitimate users of computers and computer systems, as well as the privacy interest of the general public, from those who abuse computers and computer systems.
(f) While various forms of computer crime or abuse might possibly be the subject of criminal charges or civil suit based on other provisions of law, it is appropriate and desirable that a supplemental and additional statute be provided which specifically proscribes various forms of computer crime and abuse and provides criminal penalties and civil remedies therefor.