Reply, SvD brännpunkt: "Strong support for online copyright"

In SvD brännpunkt, the Kulturskaparna network writes that the majority of Swedes are willing to pay for culture online. IT&Telekomföretagen welcomes the fact that authors, alongside publishers, are participating in the debate and, together with operators, are now pointing out the opportunities arising from customer demand for new digital services. More constructive voices needed

In Sweden in particular, internet operators and network entrepreneurs have put customer demand at the heart of their business and invested in new business models to meet customer demand for legal digital content. And customers are enjoying the services more and more. Sweden is a world leader with new services such as Spotify and Voddler, and operators' various TV and Video-on-Demand services. We will see new digital services and these will be an important competitive tool for operators.

It is good that the authors of the article underline that copyright is an important model to support innovation and creativity. Many of the business models in the IT and telecom industry are based on copyright. Copyright is right.

The best way to counter illegal file-sharing is by meeting the demand for competitive and consumer-friendly alternatives. IT&Telecoms appreciates that the authors of the article join us in supporting this approach. However, the role of investigating and intervening against alleged crimes belongs to the judiciary, not to private law actors. This is also clear from current legislation.

We respect and support a balanced copyright regime. Our role is to accommodate customers through new business models that also create competition to traditional ways of selling books, music, movies and TV. Contrary to what the authors of the article claim, we have a strong and demonstrated interest in creating the conditions for legal alternatives. In doing so, we are actively contributing to an ever richer and better cultural offer on the Internet.

Anne-Marie Fransson
Director of the Association
IT&Telecom companies within Almega