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Jon Johansen DeCSS Trial Next Week

Posted by michael on from the judge-judy-presiding dept.

daniel_howell writes "Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten has a story on the imminent start (after delays in finding judges qualified to hear the case) of the trial of local teenage Jon Johansen for helping to write and distribute the DeCSS program to play DVDs on a home computer. The article notes that under Norwegian law it is perfectly legal to make a copy for your own personal use. The Norwegian press is generally supportive of Johansen, and Aftenposten is usually good at posting updates to big stories like this on its English pages, so watch this space to follow the story as it unfolds."

7 of 89 comments (clear)

  1. What I find ridiculous... by intermodal · · Score: 4, Insightful

    is that the RIAA is suing a Norwegian for breaking a law that isn't in Norway. This is no different from Dmitry's case, unless you consider the fact that Jon didn't actually sell his program. And both should be found not guilty, and it doesn't change the fact that the DMCA is bad legislature.

    --
    In SOVIET RUSSIA... erm...NSA AMERICA, the Internet logs onto YOU!
    1. Re:What I find ridiculous... by jgerman · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes, it's exactly the same. Except that Dmitri was arrested on U.S. soil, in the act of breaking U.S. law. I do believe that it's a bad law, but it is a law just the same.

      --
      I'm the big fish in the big pond bitch.
    2. Re:What I find ridiculous... by Zemran · · Score: 5, Insightful

      At least he is lucky enough to be tried in a country with a more reasonable legal system, i.e. run for the people rather than by industry.

      --
      I love stacking my barbecues in the shed at the end of summer - you can't beat a bit of grill on grill action.
  2. Many more to come by Enquest · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is only the beginning. If software patents take their hold in Europe they will lock up free software programmers all over.
    Thats why software patents are against free speech. In history the establisment locked philosopher up. Now they will lock hackers, programmers up of violating code.

  3. Judges by starling · · Score: 4, Insightful

    [...]finding judges qualified to hear the case

    Wow, good idea! I only wish it happened more often in technical cases. Better still, maybe judges should be required to attend a remedial computer class and barred (heh) from hearing computer-related cases until they pass it.

  4. Surprise by denisonbigred · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Frankly im surprised that he wasn't extradited to the US like others have been recently. It disgusts me that we (the US) think that we have the right to enforce our laws anywhere, at any time. If people dont have the benefits (and sadly I say that with no small degree of sarcasm these days) of being a US citizen or residing in the US, then they should not be subject to OUR laws.


    An aside: I tried to post this at about 3:30 or so and the site was so slow that it timed out before my comment could go through, several times. Does anyone know why it was so slow?

    --

    "There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals."
  5. "...can contribute...." by extrarice · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I love this line (emphasis mine):

    "Norwegian prosecutors claim the program *can contribute* to illegal copying of DVDs."

    Car makers better watch out - cars can contrubite to bank robberies and drive-by shootings.

    When did the ability to do something start to mean that you actually committed the crime itself?

    --
    "Jesus saves, but everyone else in a 10 foot radius takes full damage from the fireball."