TO THE shock of its critics, Sweden’s Pirate Party won a seat in the European Parliament with the promise of reforming copyright and patent law. Most of its , showing that institutions and pricing structures that liberate digital knowledge are gaining support among the young (see “The shape of e-capitalism”). As similar parties emerge around the world, mainstream politicians may be tempted to steal the pirates’ ideas. Those who want to limit our access to knowledge had better get ready to walk the plank.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
There has been a sudden increase in the rate of sea level rise
2
PCOS postpones perimenopause and allows pregnancies at older ages
3
Man destined for Alzheimer's may have been saved by accidental therapy
4
The mathematician who doesn’t exist
5
A lost ancient script reveals how writing as we know it really began
6
Woman in cancer remission without treatment in highly unusual case
7
Fire is spreading in the Chernobyl exclusion zone after drone crash
8
Red-light therapy does have health benefits but not the ones you think
9
Neanderthal 'kneeprint' found next to mysterious stalagmite circle
10
Honey has been used as medicine for centuries – does it really work?
