The reporters over at Torrent Freak have been tracking the Pirate Bay trial with great tenacity, and yesterday the trial took a unique spin just to round out the week with a little humor.
Media expert Roger Wallis was invited to the trial to act as a witness, primarily by attempting to expound on the link between peer to peer file sharing and the decline in retail album sales. Reportedly, when the judge asked if Wallis wanted to be reimbursed for his participation, he responded “You are welcome to send some flowers to my wife.” That night, a flower shop in Stockholm received 100 orders from listeners who have been following live feeds of the trial, all delivered to Wallis’ wife.
Despite the positive support from local users, the impetus behind Wallis’ snarky comment was anything but humorous. Wired correspondent Oscar Swartz has reported that prosecutors are attacking Wallis for claiming that entertainment industry exaggerates the impact of file sharing on album sales. “Digital technologies are weakening middlemen by allowing creators to market their work directly“, he claimed, adding that producers are at risk of losing protection of their IP with the shifts in copyright law. After prosecutors straw-manned Wallis by attacking his credentials, arguments got heated and the judge suspended protocol twice. When asked for reimbursement, the snarky comment was made, and the influx of flowers and chocolate began.
The trial will resume Monday. To learn more, brush up on your Swedish and follow the trial straight from the source.