Cyber Torts: Common Law and Statutory Restraints in the United States

United States state courts administer common law principles that remedy injuries that arise from tortious activities. Federal statutory restrictions and overbroad federal court rulings have created immunity for many activities in the context of cyberspace. This paper reviews a number of state court decisions in the United States and surveys several basic tort principles in regard to their application to technology enhanced activities on the Internet. Tort concepts, under traditional common law concepts can, if left unrestricted, develop to serve multiple interests.