Swiss follow Swede lead to form Pirate Party

Youthful Swiss have formed a Pirate Party promoting internet freedom and copyright reform in the footsteps of Swedish pioneers.

A party statement says some 150 people formed the party at a meeting yesterday in Zurich, rejecting a right or left label and preferring "ahead."

The party intends to promote free access to knowledge, culture and the media as well as human rights and privacy.

It regards itself as representative of the "digital generation."

Sweden's tiny Pirate Party, which has a first member in the European Parliament, said last month it would side with The Greens in the body as the best way to fight its cause.

The Swedish party advocates shortening the duration of copyright protection and allowing non-commercial file-sharing.