Sweden looks at tough piracy law
A proposal floated by the Swedish Justice Department would allow copyright-holders to learn the identities of people illegally sharing files on the Internet.
Justice officials released the measure for formal consultation Monday, the Local reported. If new legislation results, copyright holders could ask the courts' assistance in demanding Internet providers reveal the names of people suspected of sharing files having copyrighted material.
The proposal seeks to facilitate efforts to clamp down on illegal file-sharing. Justice Department officials said the proposal also could lead to development of lawful alternatives for the spread of music and movies over the Internet.
A lobbyist for Piratbyran criticized the move, saying it was "time to stop pampering the record industry.
However, film industry lobbyist Henrik Ponten said legislation Sweden is considering already exists in Denmark and Finland "and has proved to be effective and legally sound." // Copyright 2007 by United Press International
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