It was announced today that the charges against Dmitry Sklyarov will be dropped. The Russian Programmer will be allowed to return home after being forced to remain in Northern California for more than 4 months, after alledgedly violating the 1998 Digital Millenium Copyright Act.
Dmitry’s release is contingent upon him testifying on behalf of the government in the case against his employer, ElcomSoft. Most importantly, Sklyarov will be allowed to return home for the holidays.
Though this is a great victory for fair-use advocates. It is unknown what the US Governemnt thinks Dmitry will add to their case. The trial against ElcomSoft will have to be watched carefully to assure that our fair-use rights will indeed be upheld.
