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A Denmark-based man has been found guilty of uploading sexually explicit scenes from copyrighted films and television shows on the online site Reddit.

Based on a law enforcement report reviewed by media outlets, the anonymous individual shared 347 clips of explicit content in a subreddit he managed, which were then viewed 4.2 million-plus times.

Danish authorities confirm he has been given a seven-month suspended sentence for violating copyright laws.

Experts say the defendant was charged under a rarely-used provision in Danish copyright law, with the court ruling that by taking the footage out of their original context, the man had damaged the performers' "moral rights".

He has also been found guilty of sharing more than 25 terabytes of copyrighted digital content.

From spring 2022 to mid-2023, the user using the alias "the pseudonym KlammereFyr" on Reddit posted adult scenes including over 100 actresses.

He distributed them in the forum he was a administrator of.

According to the Denmark's copyright protection group the Rights Alliance, his subreddit had more than 6,000 subscribers and participants were encouraged to request clips of particular performers.

In 2023, campaigners reported the case to the authorities on behalf of the affected artists, directors and producers, which resulted in the forum being closed down.

One actress, among the performers whose explicit scenes were shared in the community, explained to Danish broadcasters at the period she felt there was a difference between being seen naked in a film and appearing on Reddit.

The performer stated the posts amounted to "exploitation".

'A significant message'

The defendant was detained in fall 2024 and pleaded guilty to the charges recently.

In a statement following the ruling, TRA head the organization's leader remarked the outcome sent an "important" signal "that violations of creators' entitlements have consequences".

The ruling is considered unprecedented in Denmark for its application of the "moral rights" clause of the national copyright law, which specifies an creator's creation cannot be used in a way which violates their standing.

Intellectual property expert Dr Alina Trapova told the media the legal matter was "unusual" for its emphasis on the damage to the integrity of an artist, rather than to them economically.

The extent to which the case could influence nations abroad is unclear.

But she added there may be "an increasing number of these actions" in the coming years with the advancement of artificial intelligence, where "the integrity of an individual's creative output might be compromised with greater ease".