The Pirate Bay scandal has brought worldwide attention to the existence of numerous illegal filesharing websites, while dividing the populace into pro- and anti-copyright camps.

Although the recent one year jail sentences doled out by the Swedish courts would make others behind torrent tracking sites a little nervous, these people will get some added assistance in the form of a fund intended to help pay for legal defense.

The three Swedes behind the fund are Maria Ferm (Green Party of Sweden Youth Branch), Lage Rahm (Green Party of Sweden and Member of the Swedish Parliament) and Peter Sunde (Pirate Bay Co-Founder). The fund is designed to delegate finances to assist those being prosecuted by copyright-holding companies.

Since anti-copyright advocates feel that some copyright laws are unjust in the first place, many are all-too-willing to donate, helping to pay for legal costs incurred when a matter is taken to trial.

New Law: Not a Unanimous Decision

The new Swedish anti-piracy law went into effect on April 1. The law states that property rights holders can take their grievances to a court, which will then examine the evidence and decide whether the name of a holder of an IP address will be released by the Internet Service Provider, who can later run a civil case against them. (Source: cnet.com)

The Green Party of Sweden voted against the law. Many cast their vote with the belief that, should the law come into effect, it had the potential to be exploited and abused by major corporations.

Case in point -- there is often an "imbalance of power" that comes when a multinational record, music, or movie corporation sues the average person. Many feel that the "little guy" will never win a lengthy (and costly) legal battle against a multi-million dollar enterprise. Thus, the attempt to settle out of court is a natural finality. (Source: silobreaker.com)

Payments for Court Costs Only

Ferm, Rahm and Sunde promised that the fund will only serve as payment for legal expenses incurred during the trial process and will not be used towards the payment of fines sought by copyright holders.

The ambition thus far is for the fund to dole out 50,000 to 100,000 kronor ($6,000 to $12,000 USD) in legal aid for each case.