SB 1529 Summary

• Establishes civil liability for manufacturers who use stolen or misappropriated information technology in business operations while selling products in Arizona in competition with products made without such technology.

• Requires a 90-day notice period after written notice from the technology owner before an action can be filed, with written notice identifying the stolen technology, its owner, and the manner of use.

• Allows the Arizona Attorney General, injured persons, or business associations to seek injunctive relief or recover actual damages or up to three times the retail value of the stolen technology, with potential treble damages for willful violations.

• Permits in rem proceedings against articles or products themselves beginning 18 months after enactment, with presumption of irreparable harm if products are being sold in Arizona.

• Provides defenses and protections for end consumers, businesses under $50 million in annual revenue, and third parties that acquired goods in good faith reliance on manufacturer assurances or codes of conduct prohibiting stolen technology use; also provides a defense when aggregate retail value of stolen technology is less than $10,000.