“Computer Sweden” reports that representatives from the American lobbyist organization the Motion Picture Association and the FBI have been training Swedish police about copyright and pirate copying. The controversial Swedish film and music industry lobbyist group the Anti-Pirate Bureau also took part.

“Computer Sweden” says the training involved six police officers who have just finished their training at the Swedish police academy. The six will in charge of most of Sweden’s investigations into pirate copying and copyright violations. During their studies the MPA, the FBI and the Anti-Pirate Bureau spoke at a police seminar on January 24 where representatives from all of Sweden’s police districts were invited as well. The list of participants has been classified as secret.

The Swedish Justice Ombudsman Mats Melin tells “Computer Sweden” that he doesn’t see any principle problems in lobbyist groups lecturing Swedish police. But he says confidence in the police can be undermined if the outside groups are allowed to have too much influence.

But prosecutors are skeptical. Göran Hellstrand of the Office of the Public Prosecutor Prosecution Development Center in Malmö says there are problems in bringing people with an interest in an issue. He sees no need for such training for the prosecutors.