Trouble for file-sharing site

2008-02-18 07:33

Stockholm, Sweden - Prince and the Village People are planning to sue the Swedish file-sharing site The Pirate Bay for millions of dollars for helping people download their music online, a lawyer working on the case said on Friday.

The artists are planning lawsuits both in the US and in Sweden, said Lars Sandberg, a lawyer assigned to work on the Swedish side of the case.

"Work has been initiated to claim damages from those who are behind The Pirate Bay," Sandberg told The Associated Press. He confirmed reports in Swedish media that the artists would seek damages of millions of dollars.

Swedish authorities have ramped up the pressure on The Pirate Bay, a site used by an estimated 10 million to 15 million users around the world to share films, music and other copyright-protected material.

Four Swedes accused of being the organisers of the site were charged last month with helping others break Swedish copyright law.

Plaintiffs in that case include Warner Bros Entertainment Inc, MGM Pictures Inc, Colombia Pictures Industries Inc, 20th Century Fox Films Co, Sony BMG, Universal and EMI. They have until February 29 to file claims for damages.

Sandberg said the details of that investigation could be of interest to his own work.

Sandberg said he had been appointed in September to work on the case by Web Sheriff, a Britain-based anti-piracy group that he said represents Prince and the Village People. He declined to say when the lawsuits would be filed.

Swedish online business daily e24 quoted Web Sheriff Chief Executive John Giacobbi as saying that other performers could join the lawsuits, including Van Morrison and Chet Baker. Giacobbi did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

According to e24, Prince is seeking damages for illegal downloads of about 40 albums, while The Village People want compensation for illegal downloads of their 1970s megahit YMCA.

- AP