Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Swedish crackdown on piracy pays off
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
Swedish crackdown on piracy pays off
AFP - Tuesday, August 4
STOCKHOLM (AFP) - - Sweden's tough new anti-piracy law has led to a sharp drop in illegal downloading but critics say the effects will be short-lived and argue it is an excessive breach of personal privacy.
Sweden's legislation, based on the European Union's Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive, is credited with a 30 percent fall in the country's total web traffic the day after it came into effect.
Experts say that the drop in Swedish web usage is explained by the fact that illegal downloading represents between 50 and 75 percent of Internet traffic worldwide.
The new law, effective as of April 1, gives copyright holders the right to force Internet service providers to reveal details of users sharing files, opening the way for legal action that could see downloaders pay damages and fines.
Data from Internet service provider Netnod show usage is still free-falling, four months after the law was passed.
In France, lawmakers have kept a close eye on Sweden's approach to illegal downloads as they look set to pass their own anti-piracy bill later this year.
"It's obvious that those who are using file-sharing have been scared and moved somewhere else, like streaming music sites," said Daniel Johansson, a researcher at KTH Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
"Some popular Swedish artists have seen their downloading on websites like The Pirate Bay go down by up to 80 percent," he added.
The Pirate Bay claims to have some 22 million users worldwide.
While unauthorised downloads are on the slide at a time when global record sales are booming, the amount of music bought from legal download sites have shot up by 57 percent compared to last year. Music retailers say their overall sales have risen by 14 percent, according to data from IFPI, an association that represents the recording industry worldwide.
But it is not just music that is downloaded illegally -- films and video games are also popular with Internet pirates.
Per Stroemback, a spokesman for the Swedish Games Industry association, describes Sweden's tough stance on piracy as "a historic example of effective legislation".
"No one could predict such a dramatic decrease in illegal traffic and not only that there's also been a huge increase in the legal services," he told AFP.
As yet, no one person has been charged under the new law but Lisa Cronstedt, a Sweden-based spokeswoman for IFPI, told AFP that the group plans to sue individual illegal file-sharers within the next month.
Five audio book publishers have already secured a landmark victory against Swedish Internet service provider Ephone when it refused to release data of customers believed to have downloaded copyrighted material illegally.
Ephone's chief executive has said he plans to appeal the judgement, which said the company could be fined if it does not hand over the information.
Companies like Ephone fear they will lose customers if forced to release data such as Internet protocol (IP) addresses, which identifies which computers are used to surf the web.
Christian Engstroem, a member of the European Parliament and the deputy leader of Sweden's Pirate Party, argues Internet users will be unfairly punished under the new legislation.
"This is a completely unequal law, where ordinary people will become scapegoats and will be asked for hundreds of thousands or millions of (Swedish) crowns by the industry," Engstroem told AFP.
"I don't think it will be efficient in the long run. I believe the traffic is going to climb up again after some months," he said, adding that eventually people will find new ways to avoid being traced.
Engstroem's party, which calls for greater web privacy and legalised file-sharing, soared in opinion polls shortly after a Stockholm court in April found the four Swedish men behind popular download site The Pirate Bay guilty of promoting copyright infringement.
In June's European elections, the Pirate Party won just over seven percent of the popular vote.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Internet Portals & Search Engines
Intel boosts Facebook users power for researchAFP - Tuesday, August 4
Swedish crackdown on piracy pays offAFP - Tuesday, August 4
China Internet addict beaten to death in rehabAFP - Tuesday, August 4
Japanese electioneering tiptoes into Internet ageAFP - Tuesday, August 4
Related Articles: Technology
Intel boosts Facebook users power for researchAFP - Tuesday, August 4
Swedish crackdown on piracy pays offAFP - Tuesday, August 4
China Internet addict beaten to death in rehabAFP - Tuesday, August 4
Japanese electioneering tiptoes into Internet ageAFP - Tuesday, August 4
EBay's PayPal shut globally for an hourReuters - Tuesday, August 4
Enlarge Photo
Supporters of the Pirate Bay website, one of the world's top illegal file sharing websites, demonstrating in Stockholm in April. Swedish internet users have slowed down illegal downloads after the adoption on April 1 of a stricter law, which has been hailed by the music, film and video industry.
Related Photos
Slideshow Full Photo Coverage: Internet Portals & Search Engines
Related Full Coverage
Internet Portals & Search Engines
Latest development in the online world
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – Technology
Viewed
End of US economic crisis 'getting very close'
Tamiflu-resistant swine flu found on US-Mexico border
BoA to pay 33 mln dlrs to settle Merrill accusations
Concerns grows over drug-resistant flu
UBS posts four-fold increase in quarterly loss
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Tuesday, 4 August 2009 New NATO chief to focus on Afghanistan, Russia ties
Extradited arms dealer may get 15 years: prosecutor
US manufacturing nears return to growth: ISM
Merkel's rival starts campaign with jobs pledge
Iraq's Maliki promises Kurdish gas victims justice
Analysts divided over dismal German retail sales
Iran leader approves Ahmadinejad's second term
Afghanistan must not revert to terror hub: NATO chief
Israeli foreign minister to resign if charged
6.9-magnitude quake hits Baja California: USGS
| International
|
Iran leader approves Ahmadinejad presidency
Chavez supporters attack opposition TV station
| International
|
Iran's leader to approve Ahmadinejad's presidency
Somali pirates free German, Malaysian vessels
| International
|
Pakistan Christian schools strike after killings
Somali pirates release Malaysian ship, 11 crew
Pakistani Christians shutter schools over killings
FTC to continue Apple-Google board investigation
| Technology
|
Malaysia court charges 29 over mass protest
Flintoff eyes more Ashes glory at Edgbaston
Aussie radio show pulled after live teen rape claim
Student attacks won't harm relations: minister
Turbulence slams Continental jet, at least 26 hurt
Hacker hits Dutch websites with anti-Wilders slogans
| Technology
|
Magsaysay Awards, Asian version of Nobels, awarded
Report: California must adapt to changing climate
Ethiopia jails Canadian ONLF rebel for life
Israel police bust fraud ring with alleged US ties
New GI Bill tops Obama's agenda
New mother becomes Malaysia's 7th swine flu death
The Nation's weather
Deliberations to continue in Jefferson's trial
IMF says S.Korea should maintain easy policy until '10-paper
GM China July sales up 77.7%: company
Suzuki Motor profit plunges 91.8 percent in Q1
China's Brilliance reveals Daimler talks
Court OKs custody of Jackson's kids to mom
| Entertainment
|
Panasonic reports loss on slump, price falls
Kara DioGuardi returns to Idol, no word on Paula
| Entertainment
|
SKorean police step up siege of troubled car plant
Newly discovered Mozart works played in Austria
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares end firm helped by auto, tire issues =2
Daihatsu Q1 profit falls 69.4 percent
Panasonic reports $558 million quarterly loss
2nd murder trial starts for rapper C-Murder
PBS chief welcomes public TV funding under Obama
'Burn the Floor' brings ballroom dancing to B'way
Google CEO Schmidt quits Apple board
Afghans confuse democracy with fornication
Russia replaces missile forces chief: Kremlin
China Internet addict beaten to death in rehab
Bill Clinton makes surprise visit to North Korea
| International
|
Treatment resistant swine flu detected in US
Japanese electioneering tiptoes into Internet age
Shiite group agrees to renounce violence in Iraq
EBay's PayPal shut globally for an hour
Taliban rockets land near embassies in Afghan capital
| International
|
Scientists find malaria jumped from chimps to humans
Arab leaders put onus on Israel during U.S. visits
Google woos IT managers with old-tech billboards
Tamiflu-resistant swine flu found on US-Mexico border
Iran president confirmed but sealed without a kiss
Google CEO Schmidt quits Apple board amid scrutiny
'Cash for Clunkers' drives up US auto sales
Iran leader endorses Ahmadinejad but rivals absent
Australia detains 4 for plotting suicide attack
| International
|
Iran leader approves Ahmadinejad presidency
Wall Street rally pushes S&P above 1,000
Japan eyes e-politics as political rivalry grows
BoA to pay 33 mln dlrs to settle Merrill accusations
NATO chief makes Afghanistan, Russia ties key goals
Jackson mother granted custody of children
Microsoft's Bing gains another 1 pct of US search
More than 160 killed in South Sudan tribal raid
Fatah congress to keep armed struggle option
| International
|
Netanyahu wins key parliament votes
Cyborg-walkers stride toward Japan's robotics future
Lawmakers want inquiry into UK complicity in torture
| International
|
Missing Alaska cruise ship passenger identified
NJ corrections officer kills 4-month-old son, self
Deer kicks 4-year-old girl in face at Mass. zoo
EBay's PayPal shut globally for an hour
| Technology
|
Minn. mother accused of starving disabled daughter
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 686
Attys: Jackson's doctor 'loves' singer's children
Clinton off to Africa to push stability, trade
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,330
Wild! Ohio family visits 52 zoos in 52 weeks
Pakistan c.bank buys back 23.5 bln rupees of T-bills
China less prone to discriminate over HIV: survey
NZ commodity export prices rise in July
Sweet-scented suncream kicks up trademark stink
Reports: SKorean police move against auto strikers
Michael Douglas' son arrested for drugs: reports
S.Korea buys dlrs to stem won's rise -traders
Plane wreckage found in Indonesia: airline
Search begins for missing Indonesian plane
S.Korean bonds fall early, upbeat U.S. data weighs
Rain hampers search for missing plane in Indonesia
Korea Hot Stocks-Korea Zinc, carmakers, Samsung SDI rise
NZ labour market weak, rates low into 2010
Seoul shares open firm helped by autos, techs
'Crouching Tiger' star to try romantic comedy
Granite quote in WA park sparks Cobain controversy
Michael Jackson's mom gets custody
| Entertainment
|
Michael Douglas' son arrested for drugs: reports
Michael Douglas' son arrested for drugs: reports
| Entertainment
|
Despite drama, Jackson's mother wins kids' custody
Reality stars Jon & Kate back on air after split
| Entertainment
|
Gosselins are newly split as 'Jon & Kate' returns
CBS hopes wardrobe fix will restore CSI ratings
| Entertainment
|
Nintendo DSi users get to share pictures on Facebook
CBS says no plans to change focus on scripted shows
| Entertainment
|
Carla Gugino lands "Sucker Punch"
CBS says no plans to change focus on scripted shows
Roger Daltrey plots rare North American solo tour
| Entertainment
|
Michael Jackson's mom gets custody
Jarvis Cocker writing songs for comedy
Rather sues to return CBS execs to $70 million suit
| Entertainment
|
Carla Gugino lands Sucker Punch
| Entertainment
|
Tourist traps Theron, Worthington
| Entertainment
|
BMW returns to profit in second quarter
Intel boosts Facebook users power for research
Iran says 3 Americans arrested for illegal entry
Swedish crackdown on piracy pays off
Protesters back Sudanese woman in trousers case
Detained Americans being questioned in Iran
UBS posts four-fold increase in quarterly loss
Abbas says "resistance" still an option
Iranian moderate vows to keep pressure on president
| International
|
Taliban rocket attack on Afghan capital, two hurt
Lebanon's Hariri takes time out after ally quits
| International
|
Pakistan suspects Al Qaeda allies killed Christians
| International
|
China says it holds 718 in Xinjiang over July riots
| International
|
Scarred South Ossetia penniless, shaky year after war
| International
|
WITNESS: Fleeing the Islamic sect that lived in our midst
| International
|
Swedish crackdown on piracy pays off
U.S. chides Kenya for inaction on post-poll chaos
| International
|
Bangladesh launches village court system with UNDP
LaHood calls summit on distracted driving
17 killed in building collapse in northern China
Afghan kids in NC for care set aside differences
Australia police foil suicide attack on army base
7 North Carolina terror suspects due in court
Macau casino mogul Stanley Ho hospitalized
With milk prices low, more Vermont dairies close
Bill Clinton meets Kim Jong-il
Sexting craze on the rise among British children
| Technology
|
Diplomats pressing Iran for word on 3 Americans
Vietnam says booting Buddhist monks not repression
Democrats trying for GOP support for clunker funds
Plane hits control tower at Thai airport, 1 killed
Analysis: Obama struggling to keep no-tax pledge
Police: Dad fatally shoots daughter, foster dad
Pakistan army says Taliban training boys to fight
Australia keeps rates at 3%, more cuts unlikely
Senate opens debate on Sotomayor for Supreme Court
China disinfects town where plague killed 3rd man
Post office looks at changing hundreds of offices
Taiwan says insurer Kuo Hua Life taken over
Pakistan rupee to slump on fuel oil needs-analysts
Nissan-Renault signs electric car deal in Victoria
DEALTALK-S.Korea banks embrace securitisation; costs weigh
Reports: Macau casino mogul Ho in hospital
Mining group Xstrata announces profit slump
Toyota upgrades outlook after Q1 loss
Costner wants to help Canada festival victims
Global recession hitting Pacific hard, report says
In Bollywood, 'mummy-ji' no longer knows best
Seoul shares end up fueled by foreign buying =2
Reality stars Jon & Kate back on air after split
Global trade revival key to recovery: WTO chief
Sources: Michael Douglas' son in NYC drug arrest
Rather sues to return CBS execs to $70 million suit
| Entertainment
|
Jessica Simpson's Says Her Underwear "Sets the Tone" For Her Day
Penn Town Police Hunt Naked Burglar
"Iron Man" Star Robert Downey Jr. Wants His Own Superhero Costume
Model-Turned-Actress Milla Jovovich Reveals She Collects Weapons
Nick Cannon Says God Will Punish Eminem For Insulting Wife Mariah Carey
Jordanian Fatwa Bans 'Virginity Checks'
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights