Summary Box: File-sharing Group Seen As Religious

GOT THE NOD: A file-sharing group that considers itself a spiritual organization says Sweden has recognized it as a religious community.

THE BACKDROP: The development comes amid a global crackdown on file-sharing websites often used to illegally download movies, TV shows and music.

JUSTIFICATION: The group’s leader says some 3,000 members meet every week to share files of music, films and other content they consider holy and regard copying as a sacrament. The public authority responsible for such decisions was closed for the day and couldn’t be reached to confirm the approval.