Harvard Researcher Faces Imprisonment for Exploit Code

BOSTON — A Harvard University researcher who published examples of exploit codes for a French antivirus program may be facing imprisonment following a currently unfolding copyright trial in Paris.

Guillaume Tena, a French researcher currently employed by Harvard, discovered the Viguard exploits in 2001 and subsequently published research indicating how the program worked, demonstrating security flaws and showing tests conducted with live viruses.

According to Tena’s website, his research proved that the software did not “detect and stop ‘100 percent of viruses’”, as the software’s publisher Tegam International claimed.

Following Tena’s publication of the exploits, Tegam filed a formal complaint in Paris.

“The company first reacted in a weird way,” writes Tena on his website. “They denounced me publicly as a [terrorist]. Later on, they filed a formal complaint against me in a Paris tribunal.”

The tribunal ordered the seizure of the French server hosting Tena’s former website and the site used to sign his emails was blocked at the registrar level, according to Tena.

“The actual problem is that I coded and shared a few ‘exploits,’ i.e. the practical demonstration of my theoretical analysis, which demonstrated the reality of the flaws I discovered in a way that everybody could reproduce them on their own computers,” Tena writes.

The French judge in the preliminary hearings held that Tena had violated the country’s copyright laws by publishing re-engineered source code from Tegam’s software.

Tena, however, maintains that such laws inhibit a well-informed software market.

“If independent researchers cannot analyze security softwares and publish their discoveries, final users will just have marketing press releases to assess the quality of a software,” writes Tena. “Unfortunately, it seems that we are heading to this kind of world in France and maybe in Europe.”

If convicted, Tena faces up to a four-month jail term and a $7,900 fine. Tegam is also pursuing a civil case against Tena, claiming $1.2 million in damages.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More