Tennessee passes Web entertainment theft bill

State lawmakers in the capital of country music have passed a groundbreaking measure that would make it a crime to use a friend's log-in — even with permission — to listen to songs or watch movies from services such as Netflix or Rhapsody.

The bill, now awaiting the governor's signature, was pushed by recording industry officials to try to stop the loss of billions of dollars to illegal music sharing. They hope other states will follow. The legislation was aimed at hackers and thieves who sell passwords in bulk, but its sponsors acknowledge it could be employed against people who use a friend's or relative's subscription. While those who share their subscriptions with a spouse or other family members under the same roof almost certainly have nothing to fear, blatant offenders — say, college students who give their log-ins to everyone on their dormitory floor — could get in trouble.