Arghhh...torrent tracker Pirate Bay scores a victory on the internet high seas.

The Pirate Bay, the world's largest torrent tracker has taken up a surprising new residence. The site, which hosts over 630,000 torrents, moved aboard the domain ifpi.com, which formerly belonged to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

While many may be unfamiliar with the IFPI, its work is familiar to many. The IFPI is the parent organization of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

The IFPI has been a champion of lawsuits against internet pirates, increasing the scope of copyright laws and developing DRM technologies to stop users from copying their songs or media. Its actions have been mirrored by its lower level affiliates such as the RIAA.

Thus, the Pirate Bay's acquisition of the ihpi.com domain is seen by many as a major coup. When users go to the site, they are redirected to a Pirate Bay site that bears the text "International Federation of Pirate Interests". The IFPI is not happy with the move.

The domain WHOIS shows that the domain is indeed officially registered to Brokep, a Pirate Bay administrator and is not a hack.

Brokep was contacted and quoted as saying, "International Federation of Pirate Interests (IFPI) is the new international federation we’re starting in order to get the word of piracy spread. [The domain] is not a hack. Someone just gave us the domain name. We have no idea how they got it, but it's ours and we're keeping it."

The IFPI's attempts to take legal action against the Pirate Bay seem to be floundering. A leaked email between the IFPI and one of their lawyers revealed that they were requesting information from the Swedish police, who have a long-standing investigation of the Pirate Bay. The Swedish police, according to preliminary reports, have rejected their request.

The IFPI hosts a broad array of television, music, and software torrents.

The internet piracy battle continues as the IFPI and torrent hosters such as Pirate Bay trade volleys, but for now the Pirate Bay seems to have won a handsome treasure.