Yes, web scraping is legal in New Hampshire under state and federal law, provided it complies with copyright, contract, and anti-hacking statutes. The Granite State lacks specific anti-scraping laws, but federal precedents (e.g., hiQ Labs v. LinkedIn) and New Hampshire’s Computer Crime Law (RSA 638:17) impose guardrails. Businesses must avoid breaching terms of service, circumventing technical protections, or misappropriating proprietary data.
Key Regulations for Web Scraping in New Hampshire
- Copyright Law (RSA 350-A): Scraping copyrighted content without permission violates state law, aligning with federal Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.). Static or dynamic data extraction may constitute infringement if the source material lacks an open license.
- Computer Crime Statute (RSA 638:17): Unauthorized access to computer systems—including scraping behind paywalls or login gates—risks prosecution under New Hampshire’s anti-hacking provisions, punishable by fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment.
- Contractual Restrictions: Terms of Service (ToS) agreements are enforceable under New Hampshire contract law (RSA 382-A). Violating ToS by scraping may trigger breach claims, particularly if the site explicitly prohibits automated data extraction.
Compliance Considerations: New Hampshire’s 2026 legislative session may introduce stricter data privacy rules (e.g., aligning with CCPA amendments), potentially expanding obligations for scrapers handling personal identifiers. Monitor updates from the New Hampshire Department of Justice and Legislative Services.