Illegal Downloaders are the Best Legal Downloaders

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4718249.stm

People who illegally share music files online are also big spenders on legal music downloads, research suggests.

Digital music research firm The Leading Question found that they spent four and a half times more on paid-for music downloads than average fans.

Rather than taking legal action against downloaders, the music industry needs to entice them to use legal alternatives, the report said.

According to the music industry, legal downloads have tripled during 2005.

In the first half of 2005, some 10 million songs have been legally downloaded.

Music 'myth'

More needs to be done to capitalise on the power of the peer-to-peer networks that many music downloaders still use, said the report's authors.


There's a myth that all illegal downloaders are mercenaries hell-bent on breaking the law in pursuit of free music
Paul Brindley, The Leading Question
The study found that regular downloaders of unlicensed music spent an average of £5.52 a month on legal digital music.

This compares to just £1.27 spent by other music fans.

"The research clearly shows that music fans who break piracy laws are highly valuable customers," said Paul Brindley, director of The Leading Question.

"It also points out that they are eager to adopt legitimate music services in the future."

"There's a myth that all illegal downloaders are mercenaries hell-bent on breaking the law in pursuit of free music."

In reality hardcore fans "are extremely enthusiastic" about paid-for services, as long as they are suitably compelling, he said.

Carrot and stick

The BPI (British Phonographic Industry) welcomed the findings but added a note of caution.

"It's encouraging that many illegal file-sharers are starting to use legal services," said BPI spokesman Matt Philips.

"But our concern is that file-sharers' expenditure on music overall is down, a fact borne out by study after study.

"The consensus among independent research is that a third of illegal file-sharers may buy more music and around two thirds buy less.

"That two-thirds tends to include people who were the heaviest buyers which is why we need to continue our carrot and stick approach to the problem of illegal file-sharing," he said.

Music to go

The Leading Question survey also asked 600 music fans what devices they would be buying in the next year.


One of the challenges will be to develop the perception of the phone as a credible entertainment device
Tim Walker, The Leading Question

Q&A - Will I be sued for music swapping?
A third planned to buy a dedicated MP3 player, while just 8% said they would be buying an MP3-enabled phone.

Reasons cited for not purchasing a music playing phone included worries about battery life and concerns about losing the handset, and potentially their music collection.

The fact that phones tend to be frequently replaced also meant people had a low emotional attachment to them.

"The phone is not ready to replace the iPod as a serious digital music player just yet," said Tim Walker, director of The Leading Question.

"One of the challenges will be to develop the perception of the phone as a credible entertainment device," he said.

Providers need to look at features such as dual download to mobile and PC, back-up facilities and improved interfaces between PC and mobile, he said.

There is a huge potential market for MP3 phones. The survey found that 38% were interested in downloading full tracks to their mobile phones.

And people are happy with the storage possibilities of phones with only 4% wanting to store more than 1,000 songs to take on holiday.


pawned? :shifty:

finally some understands us lol , sure i downlaod music but i buy the cd to, for example the new 50 cd that came out a while ago , i donwloed that then liked ti and bought it for the casing and stuff ,

I almost hate to admit it but I hav'nt bought a cd in years, other than gifts .

i spend more on games than anyone i know. and i steal about three times more.


dunno what that says, but i rawk :01:

I never buy anything anymore unless it requires a CD key to play online. I havnt bought a music CD in years either.

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Originally Posted by peat moss

I almost hate to admit it but I hav'nt bought a cd in years, other than gifts .

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same here, kinda makes me feel bad.

I don't buy music.
I go to see the occasional movie at the cinema, and rent them to copy if i can't be assed to download it.
I don't buy games unless they need a cd key, at which point i nick the cd key.

Please don't arrest me :cry:

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Originally Posted by TheCanuk

I havnt bought a music CD in years either.

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Neither did I. But that is only because there hasn't been any decent new music in years. :snooty:

Since I first started work, I've been spending £20 per week on average on music cds.

I was also spending the same amount on cigarettes. My family kept saying to that I'd save loads if I gave up smoking.

I still smoke but when I got broadband a little over two years ago, I was able to give up buying music cds. However, I go to see more bands now than I ever have. So presumably everyone's happy now :01:

I don't watch films unless I download them, never really bothered going to the cinema much unless some girl wanted to go :dry:

I never buy or download games.

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Originally Posted by Guillaume

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheCanuk

I havnt bought a music CD in years either.

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Neither did I. But that is only because there hasn't been any decent new music in years. :snooty:

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Yeah but all the members of the bands that you like are either dead, insane or running a pub in Northants :(

I used to have to shoplift the stuff so I think everyone is happier now.

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Originally Posted by MCHeshPants420

I used to have to shoplift the stuff so I think everyone is happier now.

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Poacher turned gamekeeper, eh. Noice way of keeping teh chavs in line.

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/9789/spar4ky.jpg

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Originally Posted by manker

running a pub in Northants :(

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I've always knwon Elvis wasn't dead. :01:

Now, to find Princess Di. :shifty:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by maebach

Quote:

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Originally Posted by peat moss

I almost hate to admit it but I hav'nt bought a cd in years, other than gifts .

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same here, kinda makes me feel bad.

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me too :(