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ARTICLE · 21 JULY 2026

Court Of Cassation: Intangible Data Qualifies As Stolen Goods

GGI | Global Alliance
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The French Cour de cassation has ruled that receiving stolen goods can extend beyond tangible property to include strategic information obtained through breach of trust, even when not recorded on physical media. This landmark decision adapts criminal law to modern economic realities where intangible assets and confidential business information hold significant value.

FranceCriminal Law
Louis-Romain Riché (HERALD)
Louis-Romain Riché (HERALD)
Laure Diu-Lambrechts (HERALD)
Laure Diu-Lambrechts (HERALD)
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The Criminal Chamber of the French Cour de cassation confirms that receiving stolen goods can relate to strategic information not recorded on physical media.

In a decision dated 18 February 2026, published in the Official Bulletin, (Cass. Crim. 18 February 2026, no. 24-82.611), the Criminal Chamber of the Cour de cassation provided clarification regarding the material element of the offence under Article 321-1 of the French Criminal Code. This was in follow up to the decision on Cass. Crim. 7 January 2020, no. 19-80.136, published in the Official Bulletin on 07 January 2020.

According to the highest judicial authority of the judicial order, receiving stolen goods is not limited to tangible property, and may also concern immaterial information arising from breach of trust in the instant case. This decision reflects an express intention to adapt the law to contemporary economic challenges.

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