Norwegian Education Minister Wants To Legalize File Sharing; While IFPI Demands Norwegian Pirate Bay Block

from the clashing-viewpoints dept

Mon, Feb 23rd 2009 9:08pm — Mike Masnick

The trial of The Pirate Bay continues in neighboring Sweden, but Norway is having a bit of a battle concerning file sharing as well. Apparently, the IFPI has demanded that one of the country's largest ISPs block all access to The Pirate Bay or face a lawsuit. However, the country's Minister of Education, Bard Vegar Solhjell, has said that non-commercial file sharing should be legal, and the recording industry needs to learn to adapt:

"All previous technology advances have led to fears that the older format would die. But TV did not kill radio, the Web did not kill the book, and the download is not going to kill music. "

He said he and his party intend to look for ways to legalize non-commercial file sharing, noting that he thinks both consumers and musicians would benefit from such a solution.

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Filed Under: file sharing, norway
Companies: ifpi

12 Comments

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eleete, 23 Feb 2009 @ 9:14pm

Attention RIAA / Polluticians
"All previous technology advances have led to fears that the older format would die. But TV did not kill radio, the Web did not kill the book, and the download is not going to kill music."

Reiterating the obvious.
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- Evil Mike, 24 Feb 2009 @ 6:23am
  
  Re: Attention RIAA / Polluticians
  I believe there are those for whom this it not obvious.
  
  In fact, recent calculations lead me to believe that around 50% of the people out there are of below-average intellectual abilities. ; )
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  - Phillip, 24 Feb 2009 @ 10:47am
    
    Re: Re: Attention RIAA / Polluticians
    You, know it's funny...I found that around 50% of people out there are of above-average intellectual abilities! ;)
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Feb 2009 @ 9:32pm

Bye bye
"However, the country's Minister of Education, Bard Vegar Solhjell, has said that non-commercial file sharing should be legal, and the recording industry needs to learn to adapt"

Oops. He won't be around much longer.
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OPE, 23 Feb 2009 @ 11:12pm

Yes
That's exactly what I want to hear
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Feb 2009 @ 11:43pm

"...both consumers and musicians would benefit from such a solution..."

Uh Duh! Problem is, The RIAA would not benefit, so they still won't shut the fawk up!

Just say NO to the RIAA!
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Himan, 24 Feb 2009 @ 12:41am

Breaking news
What this article fails to mention is that Solhjels solution is based on the following:
Those who download music should be allowed to do so, and those who upload and offer music should pay through a license system sort of like (the norwegian version of) PRS/ASCAP/HFA.
Such a solution has been a standing offer from the rights holders from day one, but the uploaders/distributors has not been willing to pay, which is a challenge Solhjel has offered no solution to.
It could be tempting to call Solhjels idea hot air, but it's not even hot. It's just elections this year...
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Dumb American, 24 Feb 2009 @ 2:20am

that non-commercial file sharing should be legal, it is'nt?
So in Norway if I download a free non-commercial version of Linux or Firefox, that's not legal?
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- tmj, 24 Feb 2009 @ 7:33am
  
  Re: that non-commercial file sharing should be legal, it is'nt?
  non-commercial file sharing of works for which you don't have copyright (in other words, non-commercial usage)
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Feb 2009 @ 3:44am

maybe i should learn Norwegian, if Mr. Solhjell succeeds ill want to move there.
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Caroline, 25 Feb 2009 @ 2:16pm

Skitbra!! Gillar detta!
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Nov 2009 @ 10:48am

A brave guy with great intentions. Unfortunately this time it's about money, not about killing the old model... RIAA need to get a computer degree and start understanding where things are going. Maybe this way they could star going with the flow instead of against it.
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