Jon Lech Johansen was only 15 when he wrote DeCSS. The case is seen as an important test of Norway's strict laws against computer piracy and hacking. The trial, in Oslo District Court, is expected to last five days.

Johansen's defence counsel, Halvor Manshaus, has maintained that the teenager has done nothing wrong, having only written a small program using security-breaking code developed and sent to him by others.

Under Norwegian law Johansen faces a fine and the payment of compensation, and could be sentenced to up to two years in prison, although few expect him to do any time behind bars.

The charges were filed after Norwegian prosecutors received a complaint from the Motion Picture Association of America.

[ Read more ]