OTHER NEWS - Oct. 3, 1996

Senate OKs Stronger Penalties for Economic Espionage: Stealing trade secrets would become a federal felony under an economic espionage bill passed by the Senate and sent to President Clinton for his signature. Approved by voice vote, the bill would subject people convicted of stealing business secrets for a foreign government, company or agent to up to 25 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. The maximum fine for organizations convicted of such thefts would be $10 million. The legislation, which earlier passed the House, would also make it easier to prosecute individuals who input viruses into computers used by the government or financial institutions.