The music industry in Sweden has found that sales have risen since the country cracked down on file-sharing.

IFPI Sweden, a branch of the global body which represents the music industry, has seen an 18 per cent increase in the number of CDs and legitimately downloaded tracks since the government began its crackdown on illegal downloading.

This came after online site the ruling against file-sharing giant the Pirate Bay in April and the introduction of anti-piracy legislation.

According to an IFPI release, translated by the Guardian, an official from the organisation said it is too early to see whether the change would be permanent.

The spokesperson added: 'we hope that users there will permanently switch from unlicensed file-sharing networks that give nothing back to the music community to great value legal services whose operators recognise continuous investment is needed to discover and promote the talent of tomorrow.'

Earlier this month, similar legislation was proposed by business secretary Lord Mandelson as an attempt to crack-down on file-sharing in the UK.

His three-point solution included warning letters, legal action and a proposed ability to shut off the internet access of repeat offenders brought fierce criticism from consumer groups and industry heads.

The plans were further outlined in last week's Queen's speech and are due to go before the parliamentary legislative procedure next year.