A new survey by a US research firm reckons that musicians do not back the 'sue-the-bastards' strategy used by major record labels to tackle illegal filesharing online. Most musicians, the survey says, see the internet as a positive thing, enabling them to communicate with other musicians and their fan base directly.
Pew Internet surveyed the opinions of some 2755 American musicians as part of the survey, and while they recognised that the sharing of copyright music online was illegal, they said that the internet offered more opportunities than threats.
Pew Internet's Mary Madden told the BBC: "Musicians are embracing the internet enthusiastically. They are using the internet to gain inspiration, sell it online, tracking royalties, learning about copyright."
While most of those surveyed recognised the problem in music fans accessing tracks for free from illegal sources online, some 60% reckoned the hardline lawsuit route being taking by the major record labels (in particular in suing individuals who share music online) was the wrong strategy, arguing record labels should be looking at the new revenue streams the web offers the music world.
Madden continues: "Both successful and struggling musicians were more likely to say that the internet has made it possible for them to make more money from their music, rather than make it harder for them to protect their material from piracy".