Yet the law has practically remained untouched, despite the fact that pretty much everyone from lawmakers to activists and internet law experts agree that it's outdated. Critics say it also allows prosecutors to abuse their power by threatening hackers and security researchers with outsized prison convictions.

Now, a group of lawmakers led by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), and presidential hopeful Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), are trying once again to reform it with a bill called "Aaron's Law," in honor of the late coder and activist Aaron Swartz, who committ?ed suicide in early 2013 while he was awaiting trial for illegally downloading millions of academic documents from an online database. He was potentially facing 35 years and $1 millions in fines for these actions.

The lawmakers, who ?introduced the bill on Tuesday, believe that the law is too harsh, and criminalizes some activities that should not lead to prison.