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My question is what are the legal protections for downloading a leaked database under the premise of not knowing the database in question is actually a "leaked database" as in you think the database is not really leaked and you download it anyways.

Hypothetically Finding of the database was of the sort that involves the ability to google and finding a link. Amazed at finding the link and doubting it factually a leaked database you then download it and find out it really is a leaked database.

Goal is and was to see what you can find on world wide web AS known as "the internet" and then attempt to report said supposed leaked database to owners of leaked database.

William Koscroft
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There is, in general, no US law against accessing a "leaked database". Using it may violate laws, depending on the contents.

If the database (DB) contains content protected by copyright, it might well be copyright infringement to republish the content, or to prepare a derivative version. It might be infringement simply to download a copy, if this is treated as making a new copy of the work. But informing the copyright owner of the address at which the DB is found, while not using it in any other way, is not likely to be treated as infringement.

If the DB contains content that the owner is trying to protect as a trade secret, it might be unlawful to make use of the content for commercial advantage, depending on how the address was found.

If the DB contains information protected by a current patent, it will be unlawful to use that info to infringe the patent, but it is legal to read and learn from the info. Patents are public by law.

If the DB contains content directly prohibited or regulated by law, such as child pornography or classified information, the relevant law would apply, and the "leaked" status would be irrelevant.

I cannot think of another situation in which even the use of the information would be unlawful under US law.

David Siegel
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