Moxie Pest Control (Utah), et al. v. Nielsen, et al.

Circuit 10Jan 21, 2026

Split Score

SplitScore: 66/100

Case Summary

Disposition

Affirmed in Part

The Tenth Circuit reversed the district court’s dismissal of Moxie’s Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) claim, holding that investigative costs qualify as "loss" even when no technological damage is shown. It affirmed discovery and RICO rulings, but reversed in part on DTSA/UTSA claims, allowing them to proceed for reasonable-royalty and injunctive relief, and remanded for further proceedings.

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Circuit Split Identified

Legal Issue

Whether the CFAA’s statutory “loss” requirement (§ 1030(e)(11)) is satisfied by reasonable investigative costs that are not tied to technological harm.

Circuit Positions

Circuit 4Circuit 6Circuit 10(this circuit)Circuit 11

Investigative/response costs qualify as CFAA loss; no technological harm required.

Circuit 9

Loss must involve technological harm; investigative costs alone are insufficient.

Conflict Summary

The Fourth, Sixth, Eleventh, and now Tenth Circuits read § 1030(e)(11) broadly, allowing investigative or response costs as qualifying loss even without system damage. The Ninth Circuit, post-Van Buren, construes loss narrowly, limiting it to technological harms, thereby excluding mere investigative expenditures.

Parties & Counsel

Parties

Appellant:Moxie Pest Control affiliates (collectively "Moxie")
Appellee:Aptive Environmental, LLC and individual employees

Legal Counsel

Appellant:Hatch Law Group PC (Brent O. Hatch, Adam M. Pace)
Appellee:Clyde Snow & Sessions, P.C. (Matthew A. Steward, Nathaniel E. Broadhurst) with The Appellate Group (Freyja Johnson, Rachel Phillips Ainscough)