Pirate Party#Common policies

Central to their vision is the defense of free access to and sharing of knowledge, and opposition to intellectual monopolies. They therefore advocate for copyright and patent laws reform, aiming to make them more flexible and fairer, foster innovation and balance creator' rights with public access to knowledge. Specifically, they support shorter copyright terms and promote open access to scientific literature and educational resources.

Pirate parties are strong proponents of free and open-source software development. They recognize its inherent benefits: it provides freedom of use, modification and distribution, transparency to avoid unfair practices, global collaboration, innovation and cost reduction, and enhanced security through code verifiability. Net neutrality represents another key pillar: they advocate for equal access to the internet and oppose any attempts to restrict or prioritize internet traffic. They promote universal internet access, digital inclusion, and STEM and cybersecurity education to address digital divide. Equally crucial in their programs are public and private investments in R&D, tech startups, digital infrastructure, Internet infrastructure, smart city technologies to optimize urban infrastructures, and robust cybersecurity measures to protect these systems from cyberattacks. Some Pirate parties also support universal basic income as a response to the economic challenges posed by advanced automation.

Pirate Parties advocate for a more equitable and inclusive platform economy based on commons-based peer production and collaborative consumption principles. These parties conceptualize technological innovations as elements of the global digital commons that should be freely accessible to all people worldwide. Unlike many conventional political positions, Pirate Parties oppose concepts of cyber sovereignty and digital protectionism, instead promoting unrestricted information flow across international borders and the systematic reduction of digital barriers between nations. Simultaneously, they work to diminish the concentrated influence of both corporate entities and state authorities that function as digital monopolies. The core Pirate Party position maintains that the internet must be preserved as an open public space devoid of unnecessary restrictions, where individuals can freely access, create, distribute, and share content without experiencing coercion or intimidation. This position reflects their fundamental commitment to digital freedom and the democratization of information technologies.

A significant concern for Pirate Parties is the growing threat of disinformation, infodemic and manipulation in cyberspace. They advocate for media literacy and information literacy programs and transparent content moderation policies that combat false information while preserving freedom of expression. Recognizing how algorithmic echo chambers contribute to social polarization, they support technologies and policies that expose users to diverse viewpoints and promote critical thinking skills, viewing these as essential safeguards for democratic discourse in the digital age.

In terms of governance, Pirate Parties support the implementation of open e-government to enhance transparency, reduce costs, and increase the efficiency of decision-making processes. They propose a hybrid democratic model that integrates direct digital democracy (e-democracy) mechanisms with representative democratic institutions. This decentralized and participatory governance, known as collaborative e-democracy, aims to distribute participation and decision-making among citizens through digital tools, allowing them to directly influence public policies (e-participation). It also incorporates forms of AI-assisted governance, secure and transparent electronic voting systems, data-driven decision-making processes, evidence-based policies, technology assessments, and anti-corruption measures to strengthen democratic processes and prevent manipulation and fraud.

Furthermore, these parties strongly defend open-source, decentralized and privacy-enhancing technologies such as blockchain, cryptocurrencies as an alternative to state currency (fiat money), peer-to-peer networks, instant messaging with end-to-end encryption, virtual private networks, private and anonymous browsers ecc. considering them essential tools to protect personal data, individual privacy and information security, both online and offline, against mass surveillance, data collection without consent, content censorship without due process, forced decryption, internet throttling or blocking, backdoor requirements in encryption, discriminatory algorithmic practices, unauthorized access to personal data, and the concentration of power in Big Tech.{{cite web|url=http://pp-international.net/about|title=About the PPI|access-date=25 July 2015|archive-date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620173923/http://www.pp-international.net/about|url-status=live}}{{Cite book |title=The Digital Party: Political Organisation and Online Democracy |url=https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745335797/the-digital-party/ |last=Gerbaudo |first=Paolo |publisher=Pluto Press |year=2019 |isbn=9780745335797 |access-date=27 March 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628203445/https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745335797/the-digital-party/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal |title=The Emergence of a Freedom of Information Movement: Anonymous, WikiLeaks, the Pirate Party, and Iceland |journal=Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication |last=Beyer |first=Jessica L. |issue=2 |volume=19 |pages=141–154 |doi=10.1111/jcc4.12050 |doi-access=free |year=2014}}{{Cite journal |title=Anti-elitist cyber parties? |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pa.1480 |journal=Journal of Public Affairs |last=Hartleb |first=Florian |issue=4 |volume=13 |pages=355–369 |doi=10.1002/pa.1480 |year=2013 |access-date=27 March 2023 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327133743/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pa.1480 |url-status=live }} {{closed access}}{{Cite journal |title=Piracy, Property and the Crisis of Democracy |url=https://jedem.org/index.php/jedem/article/view/365 |journal=eJournal of EDemocracy and Open Government |last1=Fredriksson |first1=Martin |issue=1 |volume=7 |pages=134–150 |last2=Arvanitakis |first2=James |doi=10.29379/jedem.v7i1.365 |doi-access=free |year=2015 |access-date=28 March 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328234001/https://jedem.org/index.php/jedem/article/view/365 |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal |title=Piracy & Social Change{{!}} The Pirate Party and the Politics of Communication |url=https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/3742 |journal=International Journal of Communication |last=Fredriksson |first=Martin |volume=9 |pages=909–924 |year=2015 |access-date=28 March 2023 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704111256/https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/3742 |url-status=live }} Ultimately, protecting individual freedom is at the core of their political agenda, seen as a bulwark against the growing power of corporations and governments in controlling information and digital autonomy. This aligns perfectly with cyber-libertarian values and principles.{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Cyberlibertarianism |url=https://oxfordre.com/communication/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228613-e-70 |encyclopedia=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication |last=Dahlberg |first=Lincoln |year=2017 |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.70 |isbn=978-0-19-022861-3 |access-date=30 March 2023 |archive-date=19 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219070521/https://oxfordre.com/communication/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228613-e-70 |url-status=live }} {{closed access}}

The reference to historical piracy was strategically constructed by Pirate Parties through a process of cultural and political resignification. Initially, the term pirate was adopted provocatively and ironically in response to accusations from the entertainment industry against digital file sharing. Subsequently, this identity was more deeply elaborated to create a coherent political narrative. The members transformed what was initially a pejorative label into a symbol of cultural resistance, recalling the tradition of "pirates" as rebels against established powers. They established parallels with pirate radio of the 1960s-70s (such as Radio Caroline in the North Sea), which challenged state radio monopolies by broadcasting pop music from international waters. They recovered historical elements of the pirate republics of the 17th-18th centuries, such as Nassau, emphasizing aspects of democratic self-government, practices of equitable distribution of plunder, and challenges to colonial powers. They highlighted how some pirate crews adopted codes that provided for forms of direct democracy, compensation for the wounded, and limitation of the captain's powers. The adoption of the pirate flag (Jolly Roger) was reinterpreted as a symbol of freedom of information and resistance to knowledge monopolies. This narrative was particularly effective because it allowed Pirate Parties to present themselves not simply as supporters of online piracy, but as heirs to a long tradition of resistance to forms of monopolistic power, connecting the struggle for digital freedom to a romanticized historical tradition of challenging authority.

Rather than completely rejecting the traditional political spectrum left–right, Pirate Parties operate on a distinct political axis that political scientists might call authoritarian-anarchist or centralized-distributed in the digital and technological spheres. Therefore, they tend to combine libertarian and anarchist elements on digital issues with progressive (from the American point of view) positions on social issues.{{cite journal |last=Simon |first=Otjes |date=22 January 2019 |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0263395719833274 |title=All on the same boat? Voting for pirate parties in comparative perspective |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408020054/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0263395719833274 |doi=10.1177/0263395719833274 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |journal=Political Studies Association |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=38–53 |publisher=SAGE Publishing |quote=This indicates that instead of not appealing along left-right lines at all, pirate party's left-right appeal is context-dependent. Moreover, it is more closely related to sympathy for these parties than to party choice'. (Page 49) |hdl=1887/85286 |hdl-access=free }}

The first Pirate Party to be established was the Pirate Party of Sweden ({{langx|sv|Piratpartiet}}), whose website was launched on 1 January 2006 by Rick Falkvinge. Falkvinge was inspired to found the party after he found that Swedish politicians were generally unresponsive to Sweden's debate over changes to copyright law in 2005.{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Nate|title=Political pirates: A history of Sweden's Piratpartiet|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2009/02/rick-falkvinge-is-the-face/|access-date=7 August 2015|work=Ars Technica|date=26 February 2009|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217150322/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2009/02/rick-falkvinge-is-the-face/|url-status=live}}

The United States Pirate Party was founded on 6 June 2006 by University of Georgia graduate student Brent Allison. The party's concerns were abolishing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, reducing the length of copyrights from 95 years after publication or 70 years after the author's death to 14 years, and the expiry of patents that do not result in significant progress after four years, as opposed to 20 years. However, Allison stepped down as leader three days after founding the party.{{cite magazine|last1=Downie|first1=James|title=What is the Pirate Party – and why is it helping Wikileaks?|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/world/81963/pirate-party-wikileaks|access-date=7 August 2015|magazine=New Republic|date=24 January 2011|archive-date=19 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919053656/http://www.newrepublic.com/article/world/81963/pirate-party-wikileaks|url-status=live}}

The Pirate Party of Austria ({{langx|de|Piratenpartei Österreichs}}) was founded in July 2006 in the run-up to the 2006 Austrian legislative election by Florian Hufsky and Jürgen "Juxi" Leitner.{{cite news|last1=Igler|first1=Nadja|title=Österreichs Piraten sehen grün|url=http://www.fuzo-archiv.at/artikel/137321v2|access-date=7 August 2015|work=Future Zone|date=19 September 2006|language=de|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217150403/http://www.fuzo-archiv.at/artikel/137321v2|url-status=live}}

The Pirate Party of Finland was founded in 2008 and entered the official registry of Finnish political parties in 2009.

The Pirate Party of the Czech Republic ({{langx|cs|Česká pirátská strana}}) was founded on 19 April 2009 by Jiří Kadeřávek.

The 2009 European Parliament election took place between the 4 and 7 June 2009, and various Pirate Parties stood candidates. The most success was had in Sweden, where the Pirate Party of Sweden won 7.1% of the vote, and had Christian Engström elected as the first ever Pirate Party Member of European Parliament (MEP).{{cite news|title=European elections 2009: Sweden's Pirate Party wins a seat in parliament|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/5472520/European-elections-2009-Swedens-Pirate-Party-wins-a-seat-in-parliamentpps.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/5472520/European-elections-2009-Swedens-Pirate-Party-wins-a-seat-in-parliamentpps.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=7 August 2015|work=The Telegraph|date=8 June 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|last1=Edwards|first1=Chris|title=Sweden's Pirate party sails to success in European elections|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jun/11/pirate-party-sweden|access-date=7 August 2015|work=The Guardian|date=11 June 2009|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217150321/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jun/11/pirate-party-sweden|url-status=live}} Following the introduction of the Treaty of Lisbon, the Pirate Party of Sweden were afforded another MEP in 2011, that being Amelia Andersdotter.

On 30 July 2009, the Pirate Party UK was registered with the Electoral Commission. Its first party leader was Andrew Robinson, and its treasurer was Eric Priezkalns.{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Mark|title=Pirate Party UK sets sail|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/pirate-party-uk-sets-sail-624848|access-date=8 August 2015|work=techradar|date=11 August 2009|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171111/http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/pirate-party-uk-sets-sail-624848|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Pirate Party launches UK poll bid|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8199143.stm|access-date=8 August 2015|work=BBC News|date=13 August 2009}}{{cite news|last1=Barnett|first1=Emma|title=Pirate Party UK now registered by the Electoral Commission|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/6011356/Pirate-Party-UK-now-registered-by-the-Electoral-Commission.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/6011356/Pirate-Party-UK-now-registered-by-the-Electoral-Commission.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=8 August 2015|work=The Telegraph|date=11 August 2009}}{{cbignore}}

In April 2010, an international organisation to encourage cooperation and unity between Pirate Parties, Pirate Parties International, was founded in Belgium.{{cite news|title=Pirate Parties: From digital rights to political power|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15288907|access-date=8 August 2015|work=BBC News|date=18 October 2011|archive-date=4 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204114218/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15288907|url-status=live}}

In the 2011 Berlin state election to the Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin, the Pirate Party of Berlin (a state chapter of Pirate Party Germany) won 8.9% of the vote, which corresponded to winning 15 seats.{{cite news|last1=Dowling|first1=Siobhan|title=Pirate party snatches seats in Berlin state election|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/18/pirate-party-germany-berlin-election|access-date=7 August 2015|work=The Guardian|date=18 September 2011|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217150350/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/18/pirate-party-germany-berlin-election|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Kulish|first1=Nicholas|title=Pirates' Strong Showing in Berlin Elections Surprises Even Them|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/world/europe/in-berlin-pirates-win-8-9-percent-of-vote-in-regional-races.html?_r=1|access-date=7 August 2015|work=The New York Times|date=19 September 2011|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701050428/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/world/europe/in-berlin-pirates-win-8-9-percent-of-vote-in-regional-races.html?_r=1|url-status=live}} John Naughton, writing for The Guardian, argued that the Pirate Party of Berlin's success could not be replicated by the Pirate Party UK, as the UK does not use a proportional representation electoral system.{{cite news|last1=Naughton|first1=John|author-link1=John Naughton|title=Could the Pirate party's German success be repeated in Britain?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/sep/20/pirate-party-german-berlin-elections?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|access-date=7 August 2015|work=The Guardian|date=20 September 2011|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203062223/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/sep/20/pirate-party-german-berlin-elections?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|url-status=live}}

In the 2013 Icelandic parliamentary election, the Icelandic Pirate Party won 5.1% of the vote, returning three Pirate Party Members of Parliament. Those were Birgitta Jónsdóttir for the Southwest Constituency, Helgi Hrafn Gunnarsson for Reykjavik Constituency North and Jón Þór Ólafsson for Reykjavik Constituency South.{{cite news|title=Iceland vote: Centre-right opposition wins election|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22320282|access-date=8 August 2015|work=BBC News|date=28 April 2013|archive-date=8 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308151218/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22320282|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Penny|first1=Laurie|author-link1=Laurie Penny|title=Laurie Penny on Iceland's elections: A shattered fairy tale|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/05/icelands-elections-shattered-fairy-tale|access-date=8 August 2015|work=New Statesman|date=8 May 2013|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217150428/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/05/icelands-elections-shattered-fairy-tale|url-status=live}} Birgitta had previously been an MP for the Citizens' Movement (from 2009 to 2013), representing Reykjavik Constituency South. {{As of|2015}}, it was the largest political party in Iceland, with 23.9% of the vote.{{Cite journal|last=Edick|first=Cole|year=2015|title=The Golden Age of Piracy|journal=Harvard International Review|volume=36| issue = 4|pages=7–9|via=Ebscohost}}

The 2014 European Parliament election took place between 22 and 24 May. Felix Reda was at the top of the list for Pirate Party Germany, and was subsequently elected as the party received 1.5% of the vote. Other notable results include the Czech Pirate Party, who received 4.8% of the vote, meaning they were only 0.2% shy of getting elected, the Pirate Party of Luxembourg, who received 4.2% of the vote, and the Pirate Party of Sweden, who received 2.2% of the vote, but lost both their MEPs.{{cite news|last1=Collentine|first1=Josef Ohlsson|title=All Pirate Party votes in the EU election|url=http://piratetimes.net/all-pirate-party-votes-in-the-eu-election-800-000-votes/|access-date=8 August 2015|work=Pirate Times|date=26 May 2014|archive-date=29 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629155222/http://piratetimes.net/all-pirate-party-votes-in-the-eu-election-800-000-votes/|url-status=live}}

Reda had previously worked as an assistant in the office of former Pirate Party MEP Amelia Andersdotter.{{cite news|last1=Nordenfur|first1=Anton|title=Julia Reda tops German list to European Parliament|url=http://piratetimes.net/julia-reda-tops-german-list-to-european-parliament/|access-date=8 August 2015|work=Pirate Times|date=6 January 2014|archive-date=14 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614075910/http://piratetimes.net/julia-reda-tops-german-list-to-european-parliament/|url-status=live}} On 11 June 2014, Reda was elected vice-president of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament.{{cite web|last1=Reda|first1=Felix|author-link1=Felix Reda|title=Election as Vice-President of the Greens/EFA Group|url=https://felixreda.eu/2014/06/election-as-vice-president-of-the-greensefa-group/ |date=11 June 2014 |work=Felix Reda|access-date=8 August 2015|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024093900/https://juliareda.eu/2014/06/election-as-vice-president-of-the-greensefa-group/|url-status=live}} Reda was given the job of copyright reform rapporteur.{{cite news|last1=Steadman|first1=Ian|title=The Pirate Party's lone MEP might just fix copyright across the EU|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/future-proof/2015/01/pirate-partys-lone-mep-might-just-fix-copyright-across-eu|access-date=8 August 2015|work=New Statesman|date=29 January 2015|archive-date=9 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909144032/https://www.newstatesman.com/future-proof/2015/01/pirate-partys-lone-mep-might-just-fix-copyright-across-eu|url-status=live}}

The Icelandic Pirate Party was leading the national polls in March 2015, with 23.9%. The Independence Party polled 23.4%, only 0.5% behind the Pirate Party. According to the poll, the Pirate Party would win 16 seats in the Althing.{{cite news|last1=Hudson|first1=Alex|title=The Pirates becomes the most popular political party in Iceland|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/pirates-becomes-most-popular-political-5364061|access-date=7 August 2015|work=Mirror|date=19 March 2015|archive-date=19 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819070436/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/pirates-becomes-most-popular-political-5364061|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=The Pirate Party is now measured as the biggest political party in Iceland|url=http://www.visir.is/the-pirate-party-is-now-measured-as-the-biggest-political-party-in-iceland/article/2015150318848|access-date=7 August 2015|work=Vísir.is |date=19 March 2015|archive-date=4 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204084602/http://www.visir.is/the-pirate-party-is-now-measured-as-the-biggest-political-party-in-iceland/article/2015150318848|url-status=live}} In April 2016, in the wake of the Panama Papers scandal, polls showed the Icelandic Pirate Party at 43% and the Independence Party at 21.6%,{{cite news|last1=Björnsson|first1=Anna Margrét|title=Almost half of Icelandic nation now want the Pirate Party|url=http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/politics_and_society/2016/04/06/almost_half_of_icelandic_nation_now_want_the_pirate/|access-date=6 April 2016|work=Iceland Monitor|date=6 April 2016|archive-date=1 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101194247/https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/politics_and_society/2016/04/06/almost_half_of_icelandic_nation_now_want_the_pirate/|url-status=live}} although the Pirate Party eventually won 15% of the vote and 10 seats in the 29 October 2016 parliamentary election.

In April 2017, a group of students at University of California, Berkeley formed a Pirate Party to participate in the Associated Students of the University of California senate elections, winning the only third-party seat.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailycal.org/2017/04/14/executive-seats-split-calserve-student-action-2017-asuc-elections/|title=Executive seats split between CalSERVE, Student Action in 2017 ASUC elections|last=Andrea Platten {{!}} Senior Staff|date=14 April 2017|website=The Daily Californian|access-date=12 May 2017|archive-date=7 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607133216/https://www.dailycal.org/2017/04/14/executive-seats-split-calserve-student-action-2017-asuc-elections|url-status=live}}

The Czech Pirate Party entered the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament for the first time after the election held on 20 and 21 October 2017, with 10.8% of the vote.

The Czech Pirate Party, after finishing in second place with 17.1% of the vote in the 2018 Prague municipal election held on 5 and 6 October 2018, formed a coalition with Prague Together and United Forces for Prague (TOP 09, Mayors and Independents, KDU-ČSL, Liberal-Environmental Party and SNK European Democrats). The representative of the Czech Pirate Party, Zdeněk Hřib, was selected to be Mayor of Prague. This was probably the first time a pirate party member became the mayor of a major world city.

At the 2019 European Parliament election, three Czech Pirate MEPs and one German Pirate MEP were voted in and joined the Greens–European Free Alliance, the aforementioned group in the European Parliament that had previously included Swedish Pirate MEPs and German Julia Reda.

Some campaigns have included demands for the reform of copyright and patent laws.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/global/2009/09/20/germanys-pirate-party-hopes-for-election-surprise/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923223123/http://blogs.reuters.com/global/2009/09/20/germanys-pirate-party-hopes-for-election-surprise/|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 September 2009|title=Germany's 'Pirate Party' hopes for election surprise|work=Reuters blog|date=20 September 2009|access-date=5 March 2014|author=Copley, Caroline|publisher=Reuters}} In 2010, Swedish MEP Christian Engström called for supporters of amendments to the Data Retention Directive to withdraw their signatures, citing a misleading campaign.{{Cite web|url=http://christianengstrom.wordpress.com/2010/06/02/urging-meps-to-withdraw-their-written-declaration-29-signatures/|title=Urging MEPs to withdraw their Written Declaration 29 signatures|publisher=WordPress.com|work=Christian Engström blog|date=2 June 2010|access-date=5 March 2014|author=Engström, Christian|author-link=Christian Engström|archive-date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212002148/http://christianengstrom.wordpress.com/2010/06/02/urging-meps-to-withdraw-their-written-declaration-29-signatures/|url-status=live}}

[[File:Map_of_Pirate_Parties.svg|thumb|right|400px| {{legend|#ff6600|Elected in EU Parliament}}

{{legend|#ffaa00|Elected nationally}}

{{legend|#aa55ff|Elected locally}}

{{legend|#3f48cc|Registered for elections}}

{{legend|#7f88ff|Registered in some administrative regions}}

{{legend|#56cdc1|Unregistered but active}}

{{legend|#a0a0a0|Status unknown}}]]

{{Main|Pirate Parties International}}

Pirate Parties International (PPI) is the umbrella organization of the national Pirate Parties. Since 2006, the organization has existed as a loose union{{cite web |url=http://int.piratenpartei.de/Pirate_Parties_International |title=Pirate Parties International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521181015/http://int.piratenpartei.de/Pirate_Parties_International |archive-date=21 May 2012 |work=Wiki of Pirate Parties International |access-date=21 January 2011 }} of the national parties. Since October 2009, Pirate Parties International has had the status of a non-governmental organization (Feitelijke vereniging) based in Belgium. The organization was officially founded at a conference from 16 to 18 April 2010 in Brussels, when the organization's statutes were adopted by the 22 national pirate parties represented at the event.{{cite news|title = 22 Pirate Parties from all over the world officially founded the Pirate Parties International|date = 21 April 2010|url = http://pp-international.net/node/471|work = Pirate Parties International|access-date = 5 April 2012|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120304230536/http://www.pp-international.net/node/471|archive-date = 4 March 2012|df = dmy-all}}

{{Main|European Pirate Party}}

The European Pirate Party (PPEU) is a European political alliance founded in March 2014 which consists of various pirate parties within European countries.{{cite web|url=http://piratetimes.net/here-comes-the-european-pirate-party/|title=Here comes the European Pirate Party|work=PirateTimes|date=30 March 2020|access-date=12 December 2013|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603034418/http://piratetimes.net/here-comes-the-european-pirate-party/|url-status=live}} It is not currently registered as a European political party.{{cite web|url=https://www.appf.europa.eu/appf/en/parties-and-foundations/registered-parties|title=Registered Parties|access-date=12 September 2024|publisher=Authority for European political parties and European political foundations}}

In Parti Pirate Francophone, the French-speaking Pirate Parties are organized. Current members are the pirates parties in Belgium, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Canada, and Switzerland.{{Cite web|title=Pirate Party - Telecommunication Systems - 2729 - stkip-sera.download-soalujian.com|url=http://stkip-sera.download-soalujian.com/IT/en/article-2619/Pirate-Parties_20896_stkip-sera-download-soalujian.html|access-date=2020-10-30|website=stkip-sera.download-soalujian.com}}

^*Held in 2013 due to Croatia's entry into EU

¹Party only participated in North West England constituency

²PPAT is in alliance with two other parties: The Austrian Communist Party and Der Wandel. The alliance is called "Europa Anders" and also includes some independents in their lists

³with Ecological Greens

⁴PPEE are campaigning for an independent candidate (Silver Meikar) who supports the pirate program

{{Update|type=section|date=February 2024|reason=}}

Representatives of the Pirate Party movement that have been elected to a national or supranational legislature.

• Christian Engström, former MEP for Sweden (2009–2014)
• Amelia Andersdotter, former MEP for Sweden (2011–2014)

File:Czech Pirate Party press conference 4 June 2019.jpg MPs in 2019]]

Since the 2021 Czech legislative election, the following 4 MPs are in office:

• Jakub Michálek, MP for Prague (2017–)
• Olga Richterová, MP for Prague (2017–)
• Ivan Bartoš, MP for Central Bohemia (2017–2021), MP for Ústí nad Labem (2021–), Leader of the Czech Pirate Party and Minister of Regional Development (2021–2024)
• Klára Kocmanová, MP for Central Bohemia (2021–)

The following served as MPs during the 2017–2021 term:

• Dana Balcarová, MP for Prague
• Ondřej Profant, MP for Prague
• Jan Lipavský, MP for Prague, later the Foreign Affairs minister (2021–), though he left the Pirates in 2024 when the party left government.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=Foreign Minister Lipavský to remain in government as non-party member |url=https://english.radio.cz/foreign-minister-lipavsky-remain-government-non-party-member-8830447 |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Radio Prague International |language=en}}
• Lenka Kozlová, MP for Central Bohemia
• František Kopřiva, MP for Central Bohemia
• Lukáš Kolařík, MP for South Bohemia
• Lukáš Bartoň, MP for Plzeň
• Petr Třešnák, MP for Karlovy Vary
• František Navrkal, MP for Ústí nad Labem (2019–){{Cite web|url=https://public.psp.cz/en/sqw/detail.sqw?id=6624|title=Bc. Frantisek Navrkal|website=public.psp.cz|access-date=25 April 2020|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309225238/https://public.psp.cz/en/sqw/detail.sqw?id=6624|url-status=live}}
• Tomáš Martínek, MP for Liberec
• Martin Jiránek, MP for Hradec Králové
• Mikuláš Ferjenčík, MP for Pardubice
• Jan Pošvář, MP for Vysočina
• Radek Holomčík, MP for South Moravian Region{{Cite web|url=https://public.psp.cz/en/sqw/detail.sqw?id=6624|title=Bc. Frantisek Navrkal|website=public.psp.cz|access-date=25 April 2020|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309225238/https://public.psp.cz/en/sqw/detail.sqw?id=6624|url-status=live}} {{verify source |date=November 2020 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/989201002 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/986243400 cite #32 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}
• Tomáš Vymazal, MP for South Moravian Region{{Cite web|url=https://public.psp.cz/en/sqw/detail.sqw?id=6454|title=Mgr. Radek Holomcik|website=public.psp.cz|access-date=25 April 2020|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225001547/https://public.psp.cz/en/sqw/detail.sqw?id=6454|url-status=live}} {{verify source |date=November 2020 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/989201002 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/986243400 cite #33 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}
• Vojtěch Pikal, MP for Olomouc
• František Elfmark, MP for Zlín
• Lukáš Černohorský, MP for Moravian-Silesian
• Ondřej Polanský, MP for Moravian-Silesian
• Mikuláš Peksa, MP for Ústí nad Labem (2017–2019), then elected to European Parliament

Since the 2024 Czech senate election, the party had 1 senator, but she left the Pirates in 2025. She is still a supporter of the Pirates.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-21 |title=Senátorka Šípová prchá od Pirátů - Novinky |url=https://www.novinky.cz/clanek/domaci-prcha-od-piratu-40514163 |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=www.novinky.cz |language=cs}}

The following are former senators:

• Adéla Šípová, Senator for Kladno (2020–2025)
• Libor Michálek, former Senator for Prague 2 (2012–2018)
• Lukáš Wagenknecht, former Senator for Prague 8 (2018–2024)

Since the 2024 EU elections, the party has 1 MEP:

• Markéta Gregorová, MEP for Czech Republic (2019–)

The following are former MEPs:

• Marcel Kolaja, MEP for Czech Republic (2019–2024)
• Mikuláš Peksa, MEP for Czech Republic (2019–2024)

Since the 2024 EU elections, the party does not have any national elected representatives. The former MEPs are as follows:

• Patrick Breyer, former MEP for Germany (2019–2024)

• Felix Reda, former MEP for Germany (2014–2019)

Since the 2024 parliamentary election, the party does not have any national elected representatives. The former MPs are as follows:

• Andrés Ingi Jónsson, MP for Reykjavík North (2016–), originally as a member of the Left-Green Movement, member of the Pirate Party (2021–2024)
• Arndís Anna Kristínardóttir Gunnarsdóttir, MP for Reykjavík South (2021–2024)
• Björn Leví Gunnarsson, MP for Reykjavík North (2016–2017) and later for Reykjavík South (2017–2024)
• Gísli Rafn Ólafsson, MP for Southwest (2021–2024)
• Halldóra Mogensen, MP for Reykjavík North (2016–2024)
• Þórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir, MP for Southwest (2016–2017), for Reykjavík South (2017–2021), and for Southwest (2021–2024)

• Birgitta Jónsdóttir, MP for Reykjavík South (2009–2013), and for Southwest (2013–2017)
• Ásta Guðrún Helgadóttir, MP for Reykjavík South (2015–2017)
• Einar Brynjólfsson, MP for Northeast (2016–2017)
• Eva Pandóra Baldursdóttir, MP for Northwest (2016–2017)
• Gunnar Hrafn Jónsson, MP for Reykjavík South (2016–2017)
• Helgi Hrafn Gunnarsson, MP for Reykjavík North (2013–2016, 2017–2021)
• Jón Þór Ólafsson, MP for Reykjavík South (2013–2015) and for Southwest (2016–2021)
• Smári McCarthy, MP for Southwest (2016–2021)

• Sven Clement, MP for Centre (2018–)
• Marc Goergen, MP for South (2018–)
• Ben Polidori, MP for North (2023–2024), left the party in 2024 and joined LSAP{{Cite web |title=Defection complete: Former Pirate Party MP Ben Polidori joins LSAP: statement |url=https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2232874.html |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=today.rtl.lu |language=en}}

{{Main|List of Pirate Parties}}

Outside Sweden, pirate parties have been started in over 40 countries,{{Cite web|url = http://3voor12.vpro.nl/artikelen/artikel/43501086|title = Piratenpartij presenteert verkiezingsprogramma|access-date = 9 April 2011|date = 20 May 2010|publisher = 3VOOR12 NL|language = nl|archive-date = 28 September 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928145928/http://3voor12.vpro.nl/artikelen/artikel/43501086|url-status = dead}} inspired by the Swedish initiative.

{{Portal|Freedom of speech|Internet|Politics|Telecommunications}}

• {{annotated link|Biopiracy}}
• Copyleft
• Criticism of copyright
• Internet freedom
• {{lang|sv|Piratbyrån|italic=no}}
• Right to privacy
• Steal This Film
• The Pirate Bay

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Pirate parties}}

• [https://pp-international.net/ Pirate Parties International] – official website

{{Intellectual property activism}}

{{Pirate Party}}

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