Microsoft Piracy Study: 54% of UK Kids are File-Sharers

Compared to 15% of adults, Microsoft warns of pending avalanche of digital piracy, but spells trouble for parents in light of recent news that ISPs and copyright holders are teaming up to fight piracy.

UK kids are driving a new wave of digital piracy, and 14yos are the most likely to be file sharers, according to a recent "Real Thing" anti-piracy study conducted by Microsoft.

The “Real Thing” survey involved 270 children and 1,200 adults (16 and older).

Some 54% of children aged 11-16yo use illegal P2P and file-sharing services compared to 15% of adults.

"This age group admitted they knew what piracy was and that it was against the law - but that that wouldn't stop them from doing it again," said a press release.

The survey is part of a wider bid by Microsoft to try and raise awareness of the implications of illegally downloading material from the Internet.

"Having grown up with computers and - more specifically - an internet connection in the home, today's young pirates know how to find pirated files on the internet that are often cheaper than the genuine equivalents; but don't necessarily understand the risks involved in downloading counterfeit files," the press release continues.

Some 60% of children claim they opt for pirated goods because legal versions are too expensive, and over 20% say they see no difference between fakes and the real thing.

Michala Wardell, head of Microsoft's anti-piracy efforts in the UK, says that parents need to take steps now to ensure they know how their children are using PCs at home.

She notes:

File sharing is a great technology, but parents should make sure that their children are doing it legally.

We know that there are dangers associated with downloading illegal software; research has shown that computer running pirated software is more likely to catch viruses - leaving the back gate open to identity fraud or the loss of photos and other files saved on the computer.

And there are plenty of risks out there beyond the gate: the volume of malware detected across the internet increased 253% in 2007. Similarly, 2007 was the worst year for data breaches with more than 125 million personal financial records compromised.

Parents need to convince their kids to use their technical abilities wisely, so they don't put themselves or their families at risk; we know the younger generation is tech-savvy - but we need to make sure they're street-savvy too.

Has anyone you known ever gotten a virus from running a bootleg version of Win XP or Vista (yuck), the presumed targets of their anti-piracy study? If they weren't so draconian about Windows Genuine Advantage updates and inspections then maybe people would be more likely to install the updates necessary to combat security threats.

Either way way, the news that 54% of kids are file-sharers points to an even greater need for copyright holders to figure out new business models before it's too late, especially considering recent developments whereby Internet subscribers face sanctions if they ignore warnings of alleged file-sharing.

With ISPs and copyright holders apparently beginning to team up to fight piracy what will it mean for the parents of this 54% of kids who are involved in piracy?

Recent News
	Metallica on Album Leak to BitTorrent: 'Happy Days'
	Comcast Appeals FCC Decision Ordering End to BitTorrent Throttling
	BBC to Offer Ad-Supported Music Downloads
	Warrantless Search and Seizures for Piracy Pushed by Irish Justice Minister
	One of the RIAA's Law Firms Tries to Scare British P2P Users
	'Warez' Pirate Gets 3yrs Probation for Copyright Infringement
	Where to Get Free and Legal Music