Yes, that’s right — Sweden’s “Pirate Party” has won entry to the European Parliament. In a sign of the technological times, the party gained 7% of the Swedish votes and secured at least one of the 18 seats that Sweden holds in the parliament. The Pirate Party describes itself here.

The Pirate Party wants to fundamentally reform copyright law, get rid of the patent system, and ensure that citizens’ rights to privacy are respected. With this agenda, and only this, we are making a bid for representation in the European and Swedish parliaments.

Not only do we think these are worthwhile goals. We also believe they are realistically achievable on a European basis. The sentiments that led to the formation of the Pirate Party in Sweden are present throughout Europe. There are already similar political initiatives under way in several other member states. Together, we will be able to set a new course for a Europe that is currently heading in a very dangerous direction.

The Pirate Party only has three issues on its agenda.

The three stated goals on this agenda are : “To fundamentally reform copyright law,” “To get rid of the patent system” and  “To ensure that citizens’ rights to privacy are respected.”

Ironically, the popularity of the Pirate Party rose after the conviction of the leaders of Pirate Bay, a Swedish file sharing site who had for years brazenly flaunted its dismissal of IP laws and the authorities’ ability to do anything to stop them from providing users with a network to pirate everything from music and movies to software and video games. Before the Pirate Bay ballyhoo, the Pirate Party, which was founded in 2006, continuously received less than 1% of the vote.

Christian Engstrom, the party’s top candidate, believes that Sweden’s youth were the ones who swung the ballot.

Mr. Engstrom thanks younger voters for the election success, saying, “We are very strong among those under 30. They are the ones who understand the new world the best. And they have now signaled they don’t like how the big parties deal with these issues. We will use all of our strength to defend personal integrity and our civil rights.”

Where else can one vote for a “Pirate Party” besides Sweden? If you guessed the United States, you’re right. The Pirate Party of the United States, which was also formed in 2006 and modeled after Sweden’s likeminded party, appears here to stay — ready to fight for your right to government access, protests, free press and assembly.

Would you vote for the Pirate Party?