Swedish prosecutors have filed charges of copyright infringement

5 February 2008

By Jane Coyle

Swedish prosecutors have filed charges of copyright infringement against a piracy website, claiming it is profiting from the trade in illegal downloads. The Pirate Bay, which is based in the southern Swedish city of Malmö, has become a problem for the film industry, as one of the internet's most popular destinations for people who want to find and download films and music illegally. The website does not host any content itself, but acts as a search engine of video, audio and other information held on the computers of millions of people worldwide. With encouragement from Hollywood's major studios, who are the main plaintiffs in the case, lawyers yesterday said they would be looking for several hundred thousand pounds' compensation. News of the case was welcomed by representatives of the entertainment industry, who said that there was evidence the site made £1.5m per year.

Jane Coyle is a Trainee Solicitor with Lawdit Solicitors.