In the week the UK government unveiled plans to stop illegal file sharing, a report has revealed that almost one in ten people break the law in consuming online media.
The Futuresource Consulting survey of 2,500 people in the UK, France, Germany and the US found that eight per cent admitted to illegal downloading.
Never paid...
Moreover, two-thirds of UK respondents reported watching TV and films on their computers, whether of the legal variety or otherwise. A huge 90 per cent of people consuming online media had never paid for any of it.
While many media companies happily provide free content online, the findings have serious implications for future revenue streams.
But might cough up
Futuresource concluded: "This... presents a major obstacle to the development of online content services and continues to heavily impact upon revenues, despite governments' and industry authorities' renewed attempts to tighten up the system."
Although most people questioned said they would consider paying for content in future, it remains to be seen what will really happen when push comes to shove.
Via Reuters
Your comments (4) Click to add a new comment
mcmkone
June 22nd
4. I think the media companies need to drop their prices on software and media content, then people wouldn't pirate.
Prices are way too high and people hate getting the wrong end of the stick / bad deal hence paying for something that was no good... if you download it then it doesn't matter cause at least you didn't pay for it... kinda like try before you buy..
make cinema's £2.50 to £4 music from £5 - £10 and computer games and softwares all under £30 again and watch the difference.
Alert a moderator
mpeskett
June 20th
3. How many people need to be pirates before we can claim to be a persecuted minority? Or for that matter... if 90% of people don't pay for their media, what the hell isn't the law being changed on the basis that it no longer reflects the will of the people?
Alert a moderator
brawl
June 20th
2. So what your saying is Ofcom are gonna get hold of this and charge 90% of broadband users with piracy charges? I joke... well I hope I do.
Alert a moderator
fitterthanmost
June 20th
1. It's all throwaway media anyway, who wants to pay extortionate amounts for a movie they'll probably watch once, shouldn't it be conciderably cheaper seeing as it's virtual media anyway?
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments