While the unlikely alliance of Lily Allen and Peter Mandelson seek to wage war on naughty, naughty illegal downloaders, a new survey suggests illegal file-grabbers may actually be music’s greatest friends. Read on to discover why…
A study published by respected think-tank Demos, suggests that self-confessed file-sharers spend an average of £77 a year on singles and albums – twice as much as those who claimed to never have illegally accessed music.
Researcher Peter Bradwell says the survey should encourage companies and politicians to accept the “changing nature of the music industry” and force the Government to rethink its plans to disconnect illegal downloaders.
Lily Allen recently started (and then rapidly closed) a blog condemning the effect of illegal downloading. The British Phonographic Industry, the music industry’s trade body, claims that illegal downloading will cost £200m in lost revenue this year.
However, the Demos study also revealed that 75% of file sharers would stop accessing illegal services if there was a greater selection of new and cheaper music services available.
Lowering the cost of tracks to 45p is one solution offered by Demos which believes the move would double interest in legal sales. iTunes songs currently range in price from 59p to 99p.
If Demos is right, and illegal downloading actually encourages users to buy music, shouldn’t the government cease its campaign to disconnect internet users?
Out Now | £free | Demos
