Sweden prepares controversial anti-piracy law

A law is under preparation in Sweden that should make it easier for rightholders to find out the names and addresses of alleged copyright infringers on the internet.

The Swedish government wants copyright holders to be able to request information from internet providers about the holders of IP addresses that have been used for piracy. According to the proposal, a rightholder, who can demonstrate to the court that a violation of rights has been committed from a certain IP address, will be able to receive a court order that obliges the provider to reveal the name and address of the subscriber. With this information, companies such as record and film companies can then start a civil case against the pirate.

The Swedish Legislative Council, which was consulted on the law, had no major objections. The Council did note that, although the bill is based on an EU directive, it goes much further than that directive prescribes.

The Swedish Pirate Party is, as expected, strongly opposed to the new law. President Rick Falkvinge declared to Torrentfreak: “These laws are written by dignitaries who act like blindfolded drunken elephants, trumpeting loudly in an egg packing station. They have no idea how much damage they are doing because they don’t understand how the Internet is completely changing the structures of power.”

Strong opposition to the new law is expected, so it remains to be seen whether it will pass parliament. According to the government, the law should come into force in April 2009.