IFPI Welcomes Swedish P2P Verdict
It emerged last week that a court in Sweden has imposed the first fine on an individual
for illegal music uploading, in a landmark case.
The International Federation for the Phonographic Industry announced on Thursday
that it had reported 30 individuals to the police for making available large
quantities of music to the general public through file-sharing via the internet
without the consent of the rights owners. In response to the first of IFPI's reports, the prosecutor decided to prosecute
one person for making available four music files. The case was heard before
Borås District Court on October 4, and the verdict was handed down last
week. An income-based fine of SEK 20,000 (EUR2,161) was imposed. In its verdict, the District Court wrote that the accused "shall now be
sentenced for, on one occasion, having made four sound recordings available
to the general public via the internet. This did not involve a commercial operation.
He is sentenced to a substantial fine". "This is a victory for copyright and we are naturally pleased that there
was a conviction. Copyright is the foundation on which the whole music industry
is based. For the industry to continue to grow and for consumers to have access
to a wider range of music services, such as via the internet or their mobile
phones, clear and effective copyright protection is essential," announced
Ludvig Werner, Chairman of IFPI Sweden. IFPI has stated its intention to continue to report private individuals who
commit offences against copyright via the internet and file-sharing. .
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