http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4642373.stm

Sweden has outlawed the downloading of copyrighted movies, games and music in an attempt to curb rampant piracy.

Prior to the law coming into force, Sweden was the only European nation that let people download copyrighted material for personal use.

As a result many Swedes, thanks also to the available of cheap high-speed net access, were committed downloaders. It is estimated that about 900,000 Swedes regularly downloaded movies, games and music.

The law was drawn up to bring Sweden into line with EU directives and is also part of a wider crackdown on net piracy.