Recently released data from research consultancy XTN Data shows that file sharing over the internet continues to grow and that most users are unconcerned by potential legal action.
Two thirds of people using file sharing software to access music were not concerned by legal action by record labels. Greig Harper, founder of XTN Data commented, "We estimate there to be 52 million people in the US using file sharing software. In the past two years legal action in the US has seen 3,500 cases resolved."
The survey results show that legitimate music download services are rising in popularity but 58% thought they were expensive, 41% thought they were difficult to use and 43% said they didn’t offer music they were interested in. Users who were disappointed with legitimate music download services were more likely to illegally download music.
For the first time ever illegal download of movies and TV content overtook demand for music downloads. 26% of internet users said they used the internet to download DVDs with those under thirty most likely to do so. Greig Harper noted, "While the legal music download services have legitimised some of the demand for music content the lack of comparable services in the movie and TV sector combined with the increase in faster internet connections have helped fuel demand for video content."
Computer games were also popular downloads with 11% obtaining games this way. While PC games were most commonly sought, demand for console titles were close behind. Popular downloads included GTA: San Andreas, Rome Total War and The Sims 2. GTA averaged 75 downloads an hour over the period it was monitored.
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