People v. Katakam
The defendant, a former computer consultant, was indicted on multiple computer crime charges for copying proprietary script files from Goldman Sachs before joining J.P. Morgan. The court considered motions to dismiss the indictment, evaluating the sufficiency of evidence for unlawful duplication of computer-related material, criminal possession, and computer trespass under Penal Law article 156. While finding insufficient evidence for computer trespass and one count of unlawful duplication due to the lack of unauthorized access or intent to commit trespass, the court upheld charges for unlawful duplication (based on economic value) and criminal possession. The judge denied the motion to dismiss in furtherance of justice, emphasizing the societal need to deter computer crime despite the defendant's personal consequences.