Study data came from a review of media articles, journals, trade periodicals, research publications, and laws regarding notoriety for profit. In a few cases, criminals have been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to give details of how they committed their crimes. The first law designed to restrict such profits and compensate victims was enacted in 1977. Substantial numbers of victims compensation laws have been enacted since then. The notoriety-for-profit legislation has provided an innovative and extremely cost-effective method for compensating victims. The laws are generally not intended to eliminate any financial gain on the part of the offender. Thus, the majority of the laws permit the offender to collect the remaining escrowed funds after the victims have satisfied their claims, after 5 years have elapsed and no claims are pending, or upon their release from prison. One author has pointed out that making these laws punitive would eliminate a viable source of income for victims and victim compensation programs. Close monitoring will be necessary to ensure that the laws continue to serve their original purposes. State-by-State analysis, chapter notes, and 59 references.