Two schools of thought on this for me: Firstly, it is brilliant to see new political parties with real political agendas rather than those who are looking to line their own pockets. A refreshing change and it should be encouraged.

Secondly, it is a futile attempt to rationalise/legalise theft. The writers of our music deserve to compensated and these P2P networks are simply stealing someone else’s creativity. Slapping a ‘respectable’ political party round it is no different to the BNP wrapping up racism and racial hatred under the guise of a proper political group.

Either way, in British politics it will be othing more than an interesting experiment to see if a party can motiveate and mobilise the internet communities into voting. It can only be a good thing, though I cannot see any candidate not losing their retainer.

I would be nice if at least one of the links in this article went to the Pirate Party UK, rather than the Swedish Party. The UK party is not a “branch” of the Swedish Party, and our policy on pharmaceutical patents is different because it takes account of the NHS.

In response to Adam K, it’s a common misconception that we want to ‘legalise theft’. We aim to reform copyright law so that artists benefit from the sale of their creative works, instead of the current system where the media cartel benefits. We are campaigning for a shorter copyright duration, and an exemption for file sharing where no money changes hands in order to remove the barriers to entry that stop talented artists from becoming successful without signing 95-100% of their revenue away.

Great news! It’s about time the copyright debate is taken out of the hands of lobbyists and into the public domain. Having said that, I’m not entirely convinced that starting from a P2P sharer’s perspective opens up the best possible debate - this only gives ammunition to people who like to frame sharing as theft (as the first commenter).

YES, creative people should be rewarded for their efforts. NO, people should not be overcharged for enjoying the fruits of aforementioned creators’ labour, just because someone thought it opportune to “buy the rights for the next 70 years” to them.

The standard economics argument, “if people really want something they’ll pay for it”, only applies if there is a well-functioning market for these goods, allowing for competition on all fronts (quality, copyright limitations, price, etc). Does this market exist? Who knows. Isn’t it a far more noble or ’socially optimal’ goal to maximise information and knowledge sharing, whilst ensuring the creators of said information are appropriately rewarded? I think so.

I’m somewhat surprised that the focus of many of these comments has been on copyright law reform as opposed to limiting the increasing levels of surveillance in our society. Both in my view are admirable goals but I would personally consider the latter to be of far greater importance. It is for that reason that I will be looking to vote Pirate.

The current government seem to have no idea about the complexities of the internet and indeed the concept of digital media (Phorm trials, DPI at ISP’s, age rating’s for websites etc…). The opposition appear to be in the same position.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggh. Yes! Without a doubt!

I’ll certainly vote for them!

The current government is trampling over our freedom online. I don’t see any reason to suspect that other mainstream parties will be much better. To me, and I suspect most young people, this is far more important than the miniscule differences and pointless policies of mainstream parties on most issues.

Filesharing isn’t stealing that’s crazy is listening to the radio stealing? Something that can be replicated infinitely for free can not be compared to a physical object. Its illegal because its illegal, ok so make it legal. Of course there is an issue about how creative people earn a living but bare in mind in the past a musician was paid for playing music, an artist for painting a picture living off copyright proceeds is hardly a human right. I will certainly be voting pirate.

Where do I sign up?

‘Filesharing isn’t stealing’

Exactly. It is amazing just how many people have difficulty understanding this. It’s just sad how many individuals in a capitalist society cannot understand a transaction that does not involve money.

As for rewarding the artists - the work is its own reward. If they’re only doing it for the money, they should go into banking instead.

The issue of filesharing is only a prelude to a much bigger issue that will arise once personal fabrication becomes a reality: the issue of intellectual property - or in other words, absentee ownership of ideas. Here again, the clash between the vested interests and the common man will have to be fought to the finish.

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