Prosecution appeals acquittal in closely watched Norwegian DVD case
Source: Security Focus
Norway's economic crime police appealed the acquittal of a teenager charged with digital burglary for creating and circulating online a program that cracks the security codes on DVDs Tuesday.
Jon Lech Johansen, 19, was found innocent of violating Norway's data break-in laws Jan. 7 in a ruling that gave prosecutors two weeks to decide whether to appeal the high profile case. That deadline expired Tuesday.
The 25-page unanimous verdict said Johansen, known in Norway as "DVD-Jon," could not be convicted of breaking into DVD films he legally owned, or for providing a tool others might use to illegally copy films.
The case was seen as an important test of how far copyright holders can go in preventing duplication of their intellectual property.
Johansen's attorney, Halvor Manshaus, confirmed that the appeal was filed and said he was given a copy of "the quite comprehensive document."
"They appealed on all counts," he told The Associated Press by telephone. He said the appeal covers legal interpretation, evidence and claimed errors in the legal process.
"This means there will be a completely new trial, if the appeal is allowed," he said.
The Borgarting appeals court in Oslo will review the case before deciding if the appeal can move forward.
