Russian Programmer Faces Trial in Mid-2002

Russian computer programmer Dmitry Sklyarov will face trial no earlier than June on charges he illegally sold software that allows users to copy Adobe Systems Inc.’s electronic book readers. A new schedule set by U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte in San Jose will push Sklyarov’s trial back from a planned date early next year, said Judy Trummer, a spokeswoman for Sklyarov’s defense lawyers.

The delay will allow John Keker, Sklyarov’s lawyer, to file new motions in the case, including one challenging aspects of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Whyte will hear the motions in March and April. Sklyarov, 27, is the first person to face criminal charges under The 1998 law. If convicted, he would face a maximum 25-year prison sentence and $2.25 million in fines. His employer, ElcomSoft Co., faces $2.5 million in fines.