'intellectual property' - tagged features

For many musicians, file sharing is a contentious issue. Some support the practice arguing it's one of the only ways for alternative bands to become known in a market often saturated with big names from the US and the UK. Other musicians condemn the practice, arguing that file sharing is causing record sales to plummet. In Sweden, the issue has even caused the formation of a political party. The Pirate Party, which started up after Swedish police closed down one of the world's biggest file-sharing sites - The Pirate Bay, has candidates standing in Sweden's September election. 

Swedish Police have closed down one of the biggest file-sharing websites on the net, dealing a huge blow to internet users who download music, films and games, for free. Three people were detained in several raids across the country. It is being claimed that powerful US lobby groups, forced the hand of the Swedish authorities. The justice minister is under fire, and so too it seems is the Swedish government's website, which has been subject to attacks over the internet. Radio Sweden reports.