Pirate Party Expands To The U.K.

By Digital Trends Staff August 13, 2009

Pirate Party Expands To The U.K.

First it was Sweden, where the Pirate Party, a political party that advocates file-sharing and was inspired by Pirate Bay, won a seat in the European Parliament. Then came Germany, and now it’s in the UK.

It’s been approved to stand by the Electoral Commission, which means it can now contest seats.

On its official blog, the party says:

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"Enthusiastic support for the party has, up to now, sometimes blinded us to the fundamental truth: there was no party."

"The Pirate Party UK existed only as an idea. But now it is real, and here to stay for as long as it is needed. At the end of last month, the Electoral Commission confirmed the registration."

The party has three main policies: legalizing non-commercial file sharing and reducing the length of copyright protection, ending what it terms the "excessive" surveillance of citizens by government and big business, and finally promoting freedom of speech.

"The internet has turned our world into a global village. Ideas can be shared at incredible speed, and at negligible cost. The benefits are plain to see, but as a result, many vested interests are threatened."

"Outdated laws must change, and will change. The only question is when will we change them."

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