James Delahunty
17 Apr 2009 19:51
As you would imagine, music industry bodies have been lining up in Sweden and Internationally to give their take on the guilty verdict for the founders of the Pirate Bay website. Here is a pick of some of the comments that have been officially made about the verdict.
"The trial of the operators of The Pirate Bay was about defending the rights of creators, confirming the illegality of the service and creating a fair environment for legal music services that respect the rights of the creative community. Today's verdict is the right outcome on all three counts. The court has also handed down a strong deterrent sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed. This is good news for everyone, in Sweden and internationally, who is making a living or a business from creative activity and who needs to know their rights will protected by law."
- John Kennedy, Chairman & Chief Executive of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)
"Song writers and publishers all over the world are dependent on having their rights protected by law. We are pleased to see an appropriate judgment making it clear that it is not acceptable to run a business based on the violation of the rights and livelihood of creators."
- Ger Hatton, Secretary General of the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP)
"We welcome the court’s decision to convict and sentence the people behind The Pirate Bay, the source of immense damage to the creative industries in Sweden and internationally. This important decision confirms that Sweden's laws do protect creative works and apply online. We now look to the Swedish authorities to end this criminal enterprise.
"This is an important decision for rights-holders, underlining their right to have their creative works protected against illegal exploitation and to be fairly rewarded for their endeavours. This decision will help to support the continued investment in talent and in new online services (both locally and internationally), and the creation of new films and television shows for enjoyment by audiences around the world."
- A spokesperson for the Motion Picture Association
"Illegal file-sharing is one of the main obstacles to a positive development for Swedish film production. An international study estimated the lost revenues to MSEK 700. These are huge sums for Swedish film"
- Johan Holmer, Swedish Producers' Association
"This a great verdict for Sweden’s independent music labels which are trying to build their business by licensing legitimate services and getting it to fans in the way they want. The Pirate Bay has no place in this legitimate business and the court has made that clear. They had no respect for creators or artists or the labels who invest in them. This was the right verdict and the whole creative should be happy with the outcome."
- Jonas Sjöström, Chairman of Svenska Obereoende Musikproducenter (Swedish Independent Music Producers Association)
"This is music to the ears of the thousands of small independents and artists who produce the majority of new releases today. It demonstrates a real understanding of the dilemma that if no one pays for music today who will make the exciting new music of tomorrow?"
- Helen Smith of IMLPA
"The court has delivered a simple and clear judgement, which is that people and businesses engaged in creative activities have the fundamental right to be rewarded for their work and to be protected from massive copyright violators like Pirate Bay. The criminal conviction of the Pirate Bay operators will not only hearten the music and film community – it is also a huge shot in the arm for legitimate producers and entrepreneurs, who are trying to create a thriving legitimate online business based on proper respect of copyright. The court has also understood that a criminal conviction in itself is not enough, and that if creators’ rights are going to properly protected, a deterrent sentence was needed reflecting the seriousness of the crime."
- Ludvig Werner, IFPI Sweden chairman.