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Sweden Wants to Increase Cops Anti-File-Sharing Power

By soulxtc

Current law allows them to question ISPs only if alleged copyright infringement claim could result in more than 2 years of prison time. The Swedish govt is looking to expand police powers to allow them to go after alleged file-sharers whose copyright infringement claims would only result in a fine. Current law allows authorities to gain information about them from their ISPs only if the charges would result in more than 2 years of prison time. It apparently wants to give them the same ability to track down suspected pirates that is already afforded to private companies and individual copyright holders. Authorities may be correct in feeling slighted that they are unable to do what private entities are able to, but isn't that a good thing? Shouldn't it be the role of the police to prosecute real crimes rather than invade the privacy of individuals to determinje whether they've illegally shared a few songs or movies? Surely Swedih police can't have that much free time on their hands? Or do they? It is Sweden after all.

Full post as published by ZeroPaid on January 21, 2009 (boomark / email).