Are there any laws that forbid the distribution or sale of certain types of software?

In Washington, there are several laws that forbid the distribution or sale of certain types of software. The Washington State Computer Crimes Act makes it illegal to “use, produce, distribute, or sell any software that is primarily designed, developed, or marketed for the purpose of facilitating or committing any criminal trespass, theft, fraud, or other crime.” This includes software that is designed to facilitate the act of “hacking,” which is the unauthorized access or alteration of another computer system. The Washington State Criminal Code also makes it illegal to “possess with the intent to use, sell, or give away any software intended to commit a cybercrime.” This includes software that is designed to damage, interfere with, or gain unauthorized access to another computer system. It is also illegal to sell or distribute software that has been modified in such a way that it can be used to infringe upon the copyright of another individual. Such software includes programs that are designed to illegally “crack” copyright protection measures, or to pirate commercial software. Finally, any software that is used to access or manipulate confidential information with malicious intent is prohibited by Washington law. This includes software that is designed to intercept, monitor, or alter private communications, financial records, passwords, and other data that is not authorized to be accessed. In Washington, any distribution or sale of these types of software is considered to be a criminal offense. As such, it is important to exercise caution when buying or using software in order to ensure that it is not in violation of state or federal laws.

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Are there any laws that forbid the distribution or sale of certain types of software?

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