Tennessee Makes Sharing Netflix Passwords Illegal

As of July 1, it will be a crime in the state of Tennessee to use somebody else's login information on sites like Netflix and Rhapsody.

While the legislation is primarily aimed at hackers who steal and sell passwords in bulk, the bill's sponsor Rep. Gerald McCormick acknowledged that, technically, the law also makes it illegal for a wife to use a husband's login information.

It is highly unlikely that such family sharing would ever be prosecuted, according to McCormick. However, a college student who gives his Netflix password out to all of his dormmates could now be in legal trouble.

Under the new law, stealing less than $500 of entertainment is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of $2,500. More than $500 would be a felony, with stiffer penalties.

What do you think? Do you consider the excessive sharing of passwords "stealing?"

[The Tennessean]