Study: UK file-sharers buy more music

A new study re-asserts that illegal downloaders actually purchase more music than those who don’t download tracks online. The poll, conducted by Ipsos Mori, surveyed one thousand internet users in the United Kingdom within the age range of 16 – 50.

The survey reveals that, on average, those who pirate music also purchase £77 a year worth of music. This turns out to be £33 more per year than those who claim they never download pirated tracks. Of the survey participants, 10% admit to engaging in illegal downloading.

With the UK Government and Music industry looking to enact tougher legislation to help prevent piracy, these findings bare the question: could such measures actually be counter-productive and lead to less music sales?

Peter Bradwell from Demos (the group who commissioned the study), weighs in with the following: “Politicians and music companies need to recognise that the nature of music consumption has changed, and consumers are demanding lower prices and easier access.”

We’ve seen similar results from past surveys on music downloading. This study from 2005 revealed that illegal downloaders purchase 4.5 times more music than regular consumers.