Sklyarov was arrested in Las Vegas under a controversial provision of the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). He has been charged with trafficking in decryption software that enables purchasers of Adobe e-Books to open access to their e-Book from any computer terminal. This breaches a condition of sale that restricts access to the computer terminal from which the purchase was made.
According to civil liberty group the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Sklyarov is subject to travel restrictions (his passport is being held by the Department of Justice) and he may be required to remain in one place unless police-escorted. The EFF has strongly protested against the arrest of Sklyarov and has campaigned for his release during his three weeks in custody.
A pre-trial hearing has been set for 23rd August.