Court judge Tomas Norström has a conflict of interest, claimed his defending counsel Per E Samuelson in a formal deposition to the Svea Court of Appeal.

The news of Norström’s membership of associations concerned with copyright issues drew widespread attention last week. He is a member of the Swedish Copyright Association, among other organisations, as are Henrik Pontén, Peter Danowsky and Monique Wadsted, the lawyers representing the copyright holders.

Ifpi, the organisation that represents the recording industry and brought the action against The Pirate Bay, supports the copyright association.

According to Samuelson, Norström’s involvement poses a conflict of interest. Moreover, he was wrong not to have said anything about his position.

“Tomas Norström should have reported these circumstances to the parties and their lawyers and given them the chance to raise a formal objection,” writes Samuelson in his deposition.

In his forties, Lundström was the oldest of the four Pirate Bay defendants and the most public. He made his fortune when the Wasabröd family business was sold. He then owned the telecom company Rix Port80, which was subsequently sold to Phonera.