UK consumers agree that file-sharing is illegal

LONDON, UK (Loudeye - Indiesource) - Seven out of 10 UK consumers now recognise that using unauthorized music file-sharing networks is illegal, according to a major new research project.
The survey shows that the percentage of people recognising the illegality of file-sharing networks such has Kazaa has increased by six percentage points to 68% over the past six months.
The survey was undertaken by international record companies' trade association the IFPI in May 2004, repeating questions previously asked in an earlier survey in December 2003.

The latest survey followed the March 25 announcement by UK record companies association, the BPI (British Phonographic Industry), that unauthorized file-sharing is damaging music and that offenders run the risk of legal action.

BPI chairman Peter Jamieson says, "This survey shows that our message is getting through. Unauthorised file-sharing is illegal. People using so-called file-sharing networks need to understand that if they do not stop, they face the risk of legal action."

Elsewhere the survey indicates that high profile legal actions in the US and Continental Europe are having an effect even in the UK.
Over 60% of UK consumers say they have heard about the legal action, and 50% say they would support similar action being taken in the UK against 27% who said they were unsupportive.
Jamieson says, "The public recognizes that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Just like anything else music has to be paid for. Creators and the people who invest in them deserve to be paid for their work. People who steal music are damaging the music of the future.
"We cannot allow this to carry on."