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Internet crime threatens music markets

Published on 22 Jan 2010 under category: legal

Music lovers are buying more music online but internet crime is still threatening the future of recording artists.

A new report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) found that digital music sales increased globally by 12 per cent last year to $4.2 billion , but major markets for music were shrinking due to piracy.

In particular, musicians in Spain, France and Brazil were suffering from the impact of illegal file-sharing on their releases and sales.

The IFPI called on governments to put legislation quickly in place to help ISPs tackle digital piracy.

Last year, the UK government proposed controversial new laws on file-sharing which are expected to come into force in spring.

TalkTalk and BT , the two biggest internet providers in the country, expressed concerns about proposals for suspending accounts of persistent offenders which send out the message that customers 'are guilty until proven innocent'.

Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, hopes the tough new measures will result in a 70 per cent reduction in illegal file-sharing by April 2011.

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