David LaMacchia Case Chronology

• April 7, 1994: David LaMacchia indicted.
• September 30, 1994: Defense asks court to dismiss the case.
• October 28, 1994: deadline for Gov't replies to defense dispositive motions.
• November 4, 1994: deadline for defense replies to gov't replies.
• November 18, 1994, 2pm: Oral argument on motions.
• December 29, 1994: Motion to dismiss the indictment is granted by Judge Stearns.
• January 27, 1995: Government decides not to appeal the dismissal.
  • Statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
  • Statement from Defense Counsel.
• December 16, 1997: Bill Clinton signed the "No Electronic Theft Act" and it became Public Law 105-147. It is now a criminal act to trade a copyrighted work with a friend. It is now a criminal act to reproduce or distribute, during any 180-day period, copyrighted works with a total retail value of more than $1,000. The statue of limitations for such acts was extended to five years. Senator Orrin Hatch said "this bill plugs the 'LaMacchia Loophole' in criminal copyright enforcement."