More people have been using legal download services like iTunes for their music acquisitions.
A number of outlets have been reporting on a British 2005 Digital Music Survey of people who obtain music online.
That survey of 4000 users shows 35 percent of them use legal methods to obtain music online, a figure that should climb to 40 percent soon. The survey, conducted by Entertainment Media Research in conjunction with media law firm Olswang, shows users fear prosecution, virus infections, and poor quality downloads, all factors that have them bypassing illegal file-sharing methods.
Nearly two thirds of respondents cited immediate availability of legal downloads was the most important reason for using those services.
“The findings indicate that the music industry is approaching a strategic milestone with the population of legal downloaders close to exceeding that of pirates,” said EMR’s chief executive Russell Hart.
While the story shouldn’t be a real surprise, it was interesting that EMR does not seem to have a web site, or any relevant entries in Google. Olswang, however, is a legitimate law firm based in England.
The firm does not list the EMR survey in its recent press releases, even though one of its partners, John Enser, has been quoted in Reuters on the study.
“Clear deterrents to illegal downloading are emerging, with fear of prosecution running high, and close behind is the sense that unauthorized downloading is ‘not fair on the artists,’ suggesting that the industry’s messages, led by the British Phonographic Industry, are being communicated effectively,” Mr. Enser is quoted as saying about the survey.
David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.
