A political party that supports the sharing of files via the internet now has an official arm in the UK after it was approved to stand by the Electoral Commission.

The Pirate Party, whose Swedish organisation won a seat in the European Parliament for the first time this June, is set to campaign around three core policies.

These are to legalise non-commercial file sharing and reduce the length of copyright protection, to end "excessive" surveillance of citizens by government and big business, and to promote freedom of speech.

"Enthusiastic support for the party has, up to now, sometimes blinded us to the fundamental truth: there was no party," read a message on the party's official blog.

"The Pirate Party UK existed only as an idea. But now it is real, and here to stay for as long as it is needed. At the end of last month, the Electoral Commission confirmed the registration."

The party will be standing at the next general election and will be hoping to ape the success of its sister parties in Sweden and Germany.

Ironically those organisations enjoyed a massive surge in popularity when the four founders of unaffiliated file sharing site The Pirate Bay were sentenced to prison in April this year.

"The internet has turned our world into a global village. Ideas can be shared at incredible speed, and at negligible cost. The benefits are plain to see, but as a result, many vested interests are threatened," reads a message on the UK Pirate Party site.

"Outdated laws must change, and will change. The only question is when will we change them."