Free Talk Live

A file-sharing group that considers itself a spiritual organization said Thursday that Sweden has recognized it as a religious community.

According to documents provided by spiritual leader Isak Gerson, 20, his Church of Kopimism received that approval in late December. The public authority responsible for such decisions was closed for the day and couldn't be reached to confirm the approval, which comes amid a global crackdown on file-sharing websites often used to illegally download movies, TV shows and music.