To counter some of the claims by the entertainment industry and its lobbyists like the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), The Pirate Bay has teamed up with Sweden's Lund University and its Cybernorms research group to carry out the largest file-sharing survey in history. The idea is to determine what effect censorship blocks, like the one placed on TPB by UK ISPs, actually has.
"This research is first of all aiming at creating a better base of knowledge for policy makers. Without adequate information it is impossible to adapt the legal systems in a legitimate way," said Måns Svensson, PhD in Sociology of Law at Lund.
"Further, this research is important as a counterweight to the propaganda produced by various actors."
This last point is an important one. The question of piracy and its legality is something for experts and politicians to figure out. The problem is, artists are told by lobbyists that their sales are being harmed and that their content is being stolen. These are inflammatory words and without counter information, the less informed can quickly side with a group that considers the issue very black and white.
File sharing in its entirety is a big grey mess that needs serious looking into.
That's why research like this is so valid, argues Svensson. For example, the group found that while tougher legislation does affect the numbers of file sharers, it has no effect on the public opinion of the act.
"People still don't think it is wrong to share files. What we have is a deterrent effect due to enforcement actions, but an effect that lacks societal support. This is a dangerous development that in the long run risks undermining the trust in the democratic society."