• Sweden edition
Lifestyle

Swedish pop stars unite against illegal downloading

Published: 18 Apr 05 19:24 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/1295/20050418/

Over a hundred of Sweden's best-known pop artists have signed an open letter protesting against the illegal downloading of their music. "We do not want to be robbed," they said in the letter, which was distributed by the Swedish branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

Among the artists who signed the letter were Per Gessle, Lena Philipsson, Alcazar, Magnus Uggla and Soundtrack of our Lives.

"Downloading music, films, books and computer programmes without paying for them is on the verge of becoming politically correct," they said.

The letter argued that "artistic work" should be treated in the same way as any other product to be sold, and pointed out that in no other area is the right of ownership questioned.

"We accept that it is the owner's name on the door of the flat where he lives. We don't think it is strange that the grocer earns money from the sausage which is sold in the store. But when the work is creative it is considered that we who created it should accept having it taken by others without getting anything in return."

IFPI chief executive Lars Gustafsson told Svenska Dagbladet that the idea for the letter had come from the artists themselves.

"There's a lot of debate around downloading and sometimes it appears that the artists think it's good that their music spreads over the internet," he said.

"Possibly there are artists who think that, and that's OK, but this is saying that the artists, the copyright owners themselves, must decide how their music will be distributed."

It was unclear whether the stars were appealing directly to their fans or just having a general grumble, but they emphasised that "this is not about the biggest pop stars' millions" or the entertainment industry's profits.

"For us artists this is about having the opportunity to have this kind of activity as a profession. Ultimately it's about what's right and what's wrong."


Sources: IFPI, Svenska Dagbladet, Aftonbladet

The full list of artists who signed the letter:

Adam Kviman, Alcazar, Amy Diamond, Andreas Alfredsson (Waver), Andreas Johnson, Andrés Esteche, Anita Strandell, Anna Stadling (Hovet), Anna Ternheim, Annika Thörnquist (Da Buzz), Arash, Axel Robach (Whyte Seeds), Backyard Babies, Bengt Ernryd, Bengt Palmers, Björn Synneby (Whyte Seeds), Bo Kaspers Orkester, Bo Winberg / The Spotnicks, Cameron Cartio, Camilla Lindén, Christian Walz, Claes Janson, Clarence Öfwerman, Daniel Cirera, Daniel Lemma, Daniel Lindström, Dave Lepard (Crashdïet), Dhani (A-teens), Diana Nunez, DJ Aligator, Elin Lanto, Elin Sigvardsson, Eric Young (Crashdïet), Fredrik Norén, Gregoris Tzistoudis, Günther, Göran Fristorp, Göran Fritzon, Hawkey Franzén, Henrik Lindén (Whyte Seeds), Håkan Hemlin (Nordman), Idde Schultz (Hovet), Jalle Lorentsson (Wilmer X), Jen, Jens Back (Hovet), Jill Johnson, Johan Persson (Hovet), Johan Renck, Jojje Wadenius, Jonas Warnerbring, Josef Zackrisson (Hovet), Josefin Nilsson, Josefina Andersson (Waver), Klas Edmundsson (Lambretta), Laleh, Lars Beijbom, Lars Dylte (Blå Grodorna) , Lasse Andersson (låtskrivare/producent) , Lasse Lindbom, Lasse Lindgren, Lena Philipsson, Linda Sundblad (Lambretta) , Lisa Rydberg, Little Gerhard, Magnus Bäcklund, Magnus Uggla, Markoolio, Martin E-type Eriksson, Martin Sweet (Crashdïet) , Mathias Holmgren, Mats Norrefalk, Mats Ronander, Mats Wester (Nordman) , Mikael Ramel, Mimmi Pettersson-Hammar, Monica Borrfors, Nico Janco (Whyte Seeds) , Nils Landgren, Nisse Hellberg (Wilmer X) , Norpan Eriksson (Hovet) , Olle Hagberg (Whyte Seeds) , Patrik Boman, Pendletones, Peps Persson, Per Gessle, Per Lidén (Da Buzz) , Peter Jöback, Peter LeMarc, Peter London (Crashdïet) , Peter Nordahl, Peter Stormare, Petter, Petter Lantz (Lambretta) , Pier Schmid (Da Buzz) , Pål Svenre, Rotebergs-Raggarn, Rune Öfwerman, Sharon Bezaly, Sofia Karlsson, Sophie Zelmani, Staffan Andersson (Hovet) , Staffan Wiklander (Blå Grodorna) , Sticky Bomb (Wilmer X) , Sugarplum Fairy, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Thomas Holst (Wilmer X) , Uno Svenningsson, West Of Eden, Winter, Zifa, Åsa Jinder, Östen Warnerbring

Today's headlines
Swedish princess bride escapes traffic fine

Swedish princess bride escapes traffic fine

Stockholm City Police have decided not to issue Princess Madeleine a fine for driving in the bus lane a few days before her high-profile wedding, after confusion about her rights to use to lane. READ () »

Emilia Millicent
The ultimate love test is a bloody affair

The ultimate love test is a bloody affair

A zombie, a cocaine-snorting rock star and a middle-aged cop walk into a bar.... Which one captures love columnist Emilia Millicent's attention? In her last column for The Local, she explains how she has devised the ultimate test of romantic compatibility. READ () »

Sweden among winners of future EU-US deal

Sweden among winners of future EU-US deal

Sweden is second in line to benefit the most from an EU free-trade deal with the US, for which negotiations were finally given the all-clear in a move welcomed by pro-business groups in Sweden. READ () »

JobTalk Sweden
Top ten tips for entrepreneurs in Sweden

Top ten tips for entrepreneurs in Sweden

Thinking of starting a business? Doubting you can make it work? The Local caught up with equity crowdfunders FundedByMe to find out what makes "just another great idea" become a successful big-earner. READ () »

Swedish woman cleared after dog towed to death

A woman in southern Sweden has been cleared of animal cruelty charges after she tied her pet dog to the towbar of her car, which was driven away by a man causing the death of the animal. READ () »

Profit hunt dampens housing construction

Profit hunt dampens housing construction

The challenge of finding solutions to Stockholm's housing shortage must compete with the profit margins of commercial construction companies with a vested interest in keeping property prices high, a new report has found. READ () »

'Low ambition' Achilles heel of Swedish start-ups

'Low ambition' Achilles heel of Swedish start-ups

Despite increasing numbers of start-ups, Swedes are still less talented at taking their business to the next level, according to a new global study published on Monday. READ () »

Boxing defenders knock down ban proposal

Boxing defenders knock down ban proposal

A debate about banning professional boxing in Sweden has been reignited following Frida Wallberg's nearly fatal defeat in a title fight against Australia's Diana Prazak. READ () »

More Lifestyle

 

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
 

 

Highlights
Private Finest.se Scanpix Ann Törnkvist Stefan Larsson Private DoToday Scanpix, C More The Local Finest.se Facebook The Local Scanpix Ann Törnkvist/The Local Henrik Montgomery/Scanpix CDC/Wikipedia (File) kristja/sxc.hu (File) Gary Krarper/Wikipedia (File) Fastighetsbyrån Swedish expats use book club to survive London Finest.se Sergei Grits Silence/WikiCommons Oliver Gee Oliver Gee Scanpix veidekke/Flickr The Local launches Italy's news in English J. Nilsson/Scanpix (File) Eddie Gee David V. Hughes

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Stripes News

13 June 22:03

This weeks results..week 24/25 »

"A weekend full of surprises and LFC football. Results look like this: Div 5 Men won 4-2, K1 lost 5-0, K2 won 2-1, Vets lost 3-2, R1 lost 4-1. Korpen Ladies play Monday night and on the 26th the Div5 Men close the first half season with the last match before the summer kicks in. /LFC " READ »

The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE