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Mike Masnick
Last year, we wrote about how the Russian Pirate Party was refused recognition because officials there didn’t like the name, stating that it “is an attack on sea or river craft, which is a criminal offense.” Apparently, something similar has happened in Taiwan, where someone who sought to establish the Taiwanese Pirate Party has been denied, after being told that it is “improper” because of “bad connotations” with the word “piracy.” So much for “taking back” the word. The guy, Tai Cheh actually fought this decision in court… and has still lost. According to TorrentFreak:
In its ruling, the High Administrative Court agreed with the Ministry of the Interior’s stance that the use of the word ‘Pirate’ did not accurately describe the true aims of the Party.
The MOI said that the term “pirate” could mislead members of the public into voting for people they believed to be real, sea-based pirates. The country’s Criminal Code outlaws acts of piracy, the MOI added.
Are they really concerned that the party will advocate sea-faring piracy?
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