Illegal downloaders are also biggest spenders: research

A British organization has discovered that illegal music downloaders spend much more on paid music downloads than strictly legal file-sharers do.

The Leading Question, a digital music consumer research firm, says music pirates spent four-and-a-half times more for legal music downloads than average fans.

"Music fans who break piracy laws are highly valuable customers," said Paul Brindley, head of the Leading Question, which conducted a survey of 600 music fans who also own computers and mobile phones.

Brindley’s research discovered those who downloaded illegally spent an average of 5.52 pounds a month doing the same thing legally compared to legal file sharers, who spent just 1.27 pounds a month on digital tracks.

Brindley says hardcore music fans are "extremely enthusiastic" about paying for services that they find "compelling."

Recent data from the International Federation of Phonographic Industries showed that the number of legal tracks downloaded worldwide tripled in the first half of 2005 compared to the same period last year.

The federation, which represents record companies and has members in 75 countries, credits the rise in legal downloads to three things:

• There are now more than 300 sites available for legal downloads, three times as many as a year ago.
• There’s been a 13-per-cent increase in the number of broadband lines installed globally.
• The industry has aggressively campaigned to prosecute illegal downloaders.

The IFPI has filed more than 14,000 lawsuits against file-sharers in 12 countries since September 2003.