HR 4640 IH, an untitled bill to criminalize providing false information in registering a domain name. Sponsors: Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) (left) and Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) (right). Date introduced: May 2, 2002. Source: Office of Rep. Berman.

107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION

H. R. ____

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. COBLE (for himself and Mr. BERMAN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on ____________

A BILL

To provide criminal penalties for providing false information in registering a domain name on the Internet.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR FALSE INFORMATION IN REGISTRATION OF DOMAIN NAMES.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

‘‘§ 1037. Fraudulent information in registering domain name

‘‘(a) OFFENSE.—Whoever knowingly and with intent to defraud provides material and misleading false contact information to a domain name registrar, domain name registry, or other domain name registration authority in registering a domain name shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section—

‘‘(1) the term ‘domain name’ means any alphanumeric designation which is registered with or assigned by a domain name registrar, domain name registry, or other domain name registration authority as part of an electronic address on the Internet; and

‘‘(2) the term ‘Internet’ has the meaning given that term in section 230(f)(1) of the Communications Act of 1034 (47 U.S.C. 230(f)(1)).’’.

(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

‘‘1037. Fraudulent information in registering domain name.’’.