The Pirate Bay's Founding Organization Shuts Down 107
kcurtis sent the news that Piratbryån, the lobbying organization out of which The Pirate Bay sprang, has disbanded. (The torrent tracker is alive and well.) "Piratbyrån had many purposes, but could be described as a pro-piracy lobbying organization. It was founded in response to Antipiratbyrån, the local anti-piracy outfit in Sweden. The goal was to start a debate on copyright issues and how they affect society. Until then, most press in Sweden would simply take everything Antipiratbyrån said for granted. Internationally, Piratbyrån is mostly known for launching The Pirate Bay in the fall of 2003, just a few months after the group itself was founded. ... The final decision to disband the group came after Ibi Kopimi Botani, a prominent member and co-founder of the group, passed away. Without one of its greatest minds, the group would never be the same again, Piratbyrån's members felt."
Hmm.. (Score:5, Insightful)
Without one of its greatest minds, the group would never be the same again, Piratbyrån's member felt.
That seems pretty weak of them. If someone died and their protege decided to give up, I'm pretty sure they'd be pissed (if they were still alive). I know I'd be pissed.
Re:it's a sad day for pirates everywhere (Score:5, Insightful)
Although this is a sad day, as we've seen time and time again the loss of any one entity does not make a dent in bittorrent, or the exchange of ideas over the free internet. It's not a fight the content cartels or their shills in government can win.
Anonymous Coward (Score:0, Insightful)
And nothing of value was lost.
Re:Pirate Party Still Alive (Score:5, Insightful)
Pirates never die. They simply board another ship. aaarrrggg!
Heavens bless him/her (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:depending on one person (Score:3, Insightful)
Organization exist for a purpose, when/if that purpose dont exist anymore its time to wrap up, close down and move on to new adventures.
They'd had their day anyway (Score:5, Insightful)
Piratbyrån were among the first to question the propaganda from record companies, politicians and lawyers. For that, they deserve respect and praise. They started the Pirate Bay, and they inspired the founders of the Swedish Pirate Party. Those organizations are today much more important than Piratbyrån, with the Pirate Bay being the largest bittorrent tracker in the world and the Piracy Party holding two seats in the European Parliament. Piratbyrån's disbandment will in practice have very little effect on the political struggle for online freedom.
That's alright however, because that's how it's supposed to work. It's in the spirit of copyleft - "here are our ideas, please copy them and do whatever you like with them. Build something better on top on what we've created, and share it with others." Piratbyrån simply have had their day, and that's not just my opinion but theirs as well. Co-founders Marcin de Kaminski [dekaminski.se] and Rasmus Fleischer [copyriot.se] have both posted blog entries in Swedish to that same effect.
I'm sorry to hear about the loss of Ibrahim Botani, but I'm not sorry that Piratbyrån shuts down now, because they've already won. Their mission is accomplished, namely that they got the common people to discuss file sharing and Internet freedom. Other people can and will continue where they left off. I'd just like to say, thank you guys for all the things you've done. You've opened our eyes and been an inspiration for the whole world.
Re:Argh, Matey! (Score:3, Insightful)
And lawsuits. And the free publicity they create.
TANSTAAFL (There Ain't No Such Thing as a Free Lawsuit)
Re:Hmm.. (Score:4, Insightful)
I am in a situation that is a bit comparable. I didn't die, but I left, and people decided to continue what I started. It is hard to describe how much it hurts every day to watch them. I built this group up and introduced most of what made them successful. Some gets continued, most gets twisted, some outright abused.
No, I'd much rather feel good if they had shut it down, or at least replaced it with something entirely their making. In this particular case, they didn't really have that option, though.
No, just continuing something for the sake of continuing it is not always what would please the original founder(s).
Re:it's a sad day for pirates everywhere (Score:2, Insightful)