Some will call it “the political trial of the decade” or a “show… or an spectacle”, however at the end of the day (and many to come) is a battle of interests. In one corner the plaintiffs:  20th Century Fox, EMI, MGM, Colombia Pictures, Warner Bros, Sony BMG and Universal. On the other The Pirate Bay (TPB) and a community of people in pro of choice, freedom to share ideas, files, media, feelings, etc. It’s not a clash of generations, although is tough to argue on that when you see the people against TPB. Niether is a clash of ideologies, its about the money, money the plaintiffs think they are not making, because people choose to download either than to buy it.

The trial is important because “the people” (we, the customers of the plaintiffs) are asking for a change, and not through hallow words, but through action. You see when there was no Internet, we didn’t have a choice, we had to consume what they wanted us to consume, see what they wanted us to see. At the same time we permitted them to accumulate riches at our expenses, but times had change we have more power, freedom to choose and we just realized that. We had chosen to consume without paying and if we find it fitting we will give back by becoming fans, sharing, spreading the word, hosting the media, buying merchandise that supports the artists and through other ways of supporting the creators of media.

You may think, how is possible, why should we given “that privilege” to watch a movie or listen to a cd for free, and then decide if we should pay for it. Then I ask, what is a movie without eyes to see it or a song without ears to listen and feet to dance? Who is the privilege now, here is a hint: they are. Its like food court Chinese restaurants or shops at a fair, they are competing for you to buy their food and goods, they give you a free sample and decide or can even choose to neglect them.

Gottfrid Svartholm Warg (aka Anakata), Peter Sunde Kolmisoppi (aka Brokep) and Fredrik Neij (TiAMO), The Pirate Bay Founders chose to take a stand for us. Their intentions may be question, however for their gutsy performance you have to cheer for them. Ask yourself the following: will you risk what they have at stake, to take a stand for your ideas? Not many people will do, however they are not alone and that is for a reason.

If The Pirate Bay wins, appeals will come and if they lose nothing will change, the community will find a way to continue fighting. The interesting thing is that the result itself is not important. However it is important because its an eye opener, it permits the community to grow stronger and continue to take a stand.

In the meantime I salute at the The Pirate Bay, the community of supporters and at Sofia for translating the trial through Twitter.

For more check the Torrent Freak converge here and here.