Study: Illegal downloaders purchase the most music

A new study in Britain has found that those who download music illegally from the Internet are also the ones that spend the most for their music.

The study, published today, has shown that people who admit to downloading music illegally from the Internet actually spend more on music than those who claim they acquire their music honestly. The study also suggests that the British government's plan to crack down on "file-sharing" could actually hurt an already ailing music industry reports The Independent. The government's plan would cut Internet access to people who had been caught illegally downloading music with a "three strikes you're out" policy. The British Phonographic Industry estimates that approximately 7 million people in the U.K. download illegal music every year costing the music industry $330 million annually reports the Independent. The study looked at 1,000 people ranging in age from 16 to 50 and found that 1 in 10 was involved in illegal downloading of music. The poll, conducted by Ipsos Mori, found that 61 per cent of those who admit to acquiring music files illegally would stop the practice if they received a warning letter threatening them with the loss of Internet service for one month. Some critics of the crackdown feel that the governments efforts will do nothing to prop up the music industry and could even make things worse. In an interview with the Independent, Peter Bradwell, from the think-tank Demos said, "The latest approach from the Government will not help prop up an ailing music industry. Politicians and music companies need to recognise that the nature of music consumption has changed, and consumers are demanding lower prices and easier access." And Mark Mulligan of Forrester Research said, "The people who file-share are the ones who are interested in music. They use file-sharing as a discovery mechanism. We have a generation of young people who don't have any concept of music as a paid-for commodity. You need to have it at a price point you won't notice," reported the Independent. Internet service providers say the measures will be difficult to enforce. The Digital Economy Bill will become law in the U.K. in April, 2010.