Tide is turning for file-sharing in Sweden

In recent months, the amount of file-sharing has sharply decreased in Sweden. There are two factors that go a large way in explaining the bleak days for file-sharers. First of all, the founders of The Pirate Bay, the world’s largest tracker, have recently been found guilty of infringing copyright. Furthermore, the Swedish parliament has introduced a law to counter illegal file-sharing. Following these two events, illegal downloading has plummeted with 40 per cent. Even a sharp rise in the use of anonymous proxy servers could not counter this.

This trend occurs with a simultaneous announcement of the IFPI that record sales and legal downloads have increased in the first six months of the year. Naturally, the IFPI are very satisfied with this turn of events.

An IFPI spokesperson, in a reaction, says to be pleased with the new law signalling that illegal file-sharing is inadmissable, which opens up the market for legal alternatives.