European Police Conduct Raids Over File-Sharing

Police swept across Europe today collecting evidence from ISPs and private individuals against several websites suspected of offering content to file-sharing networks without permission of the copyright holder.

A total of seven raids were conducted by Swedish police today at the request of Belgian authorities in Malmo, Eslöv, Umeå and at two places in Eskilstuna and around Stockholm, according to the Swedish Prosecution Authority.

The police confiscated computer equipment at some sites, including at Umeå University and several private residences, Fredrik Ingblad, senior public prosecutor for the Swedish Prosecution Authority, told the New York Times. Police also visited the ISPs Phomera and PRQ.

"The sole purpose of the raids is to get information about IP addresses," he said.