The site was run by three Italian men, who have been charged with infringing copyright law and face potential prison terms of up to three years and heavy fines.

The operation, which helped users find and exchange the computer files they want on peer-to-peer networks, was funded by accepting online donations from users.

Italian police, who worked alongside IFPI-associated Italian anti-music piracy group FPM on the case, closed the service, seizing computers and freezing two bank accounts.

FPM president Enzo ...