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The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts has dissolved the temporary restraining order which prevented three MIT students from giving their (really outstanding) presentation about transportation fare system security at this year’s DEFCON. The court also denied the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction, so the students are free to share their fascinating research results with the world.

No written opinion has been released, but here’s the Court’s docket entry for the hearing:

Electronic Clerk’s Notes for proceedings held before Judge George A. OToole, Jr: Motion Hearing held on 8/19/2008 re [16] MOTION to Modify Terms But Not Duration of Temporary Restraining Order filed by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, [50] MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority ; After hearing argument from all sides. Court DENIED [50] Motion for Preliminary Injunction and dissolves Temporary Restraining Order; GRANTS [26] Motion for Reconsideration of TRO; [16] Motion for Modification, is MOOT; [33] Motion for Protective Order and [40] Motion for Reconsideration and/or Modification of August 14, 2008 Discovery Order are PENDING.(Court Reporter: Marcia Patrisso.)(Attorneys present: Plaintiff: I. Mahony, M. Bodoin, T. Darling Individual Defendants: C. Cohn, M. Hoffman, A. Kessel, J. Reinstein, L. Kolodney, T. Brown. On the phone: Atty. Granick, Atty. Opsahl, Atty. McSherry, Defendant Z. Anderson, R. Ryan. MIT: J. Swope ) (Edge, Eugenia) Modified on 8/20/2008 (Edge, Eugenia).

Threat Level has more. This makes an auspicious start for the EFF Coders’ Rights Project. Congratulations to the students and to their lawyers!