The BPI yesterday revealed research which claims that illegal filesharing has cost the British music industry £1.1 billion. The report does explain how research firm TNS Worldpanel reached that figure (something about 3,317 respondents, actual purchasing and adding together three years worth of stats) though I didn't understand most of it - but I'm sure they earned their fee.
Launching the research, BPI boss Peter Jamieson told reporters: "The UK record industry is the biggest single investor in British music. Too often people believe that when they take music illegally over the internet it is a victimless crime. But when people share music files illegally, they are stealing the future of British musicians and the people who invest in them. Music fans know the value of great music. Britain's music scene is currently as vibrant as it has been for years but illegal filesharers need to understand the impact of what they do. The battle against illegal filesharing is a battle for the future of British music."
The same research also found a continued decline in P2P usage in the UK (down to 15.4% in 2005 from 16% in 2004 and 17.8% in 2003) and a growth in the number of legal downloaders (23% only use legal services, 31% legal and illegal, 46% illegal only). Of those who began downloading in the last six months, 56% are doing so legally.
All that research nonsense came as the BPI announced that it has won two further court cases against illegal file sharers, both of whom have been ordered to pay £2500 in interim damages to the record labels. The trade association says that it has now settled 102 cases in its legal assault on downloading, leaving 36 still to be resolved.
BPI General Counsel Roz Groome told reporters: "We continue to make progress in court cases against illegal filesharers, and all the cases that have made it to court have ruled in our favour. Litigation will continue to be an important part of our campaign against illegal filesharing."