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Report Claims 95% of Music Downloads Are Illegal

Un pobre guey writes "The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) press release claims that 95% of music file downloads in 2008, an estimated 40 billion files, were illegal. Oddly enough, digital music sales are up: 'The digital music business internationally saw a sixth year of expansion in 2008, growing by an estimated 25 per cent to US$3.7 billion in trade value. Digital platforms now account for around 20 per cent of recorded music sales, up from 15 per cent in 2007. Recorded music is at the forefront of the online and mobile revolution, generating more revenue in percentage terms through digital platforms than the newspaper (4%), magazine (1%) and film industries (4%) combined... Despite these developments, the music sector is still overshadowed by the huge amount of unlicensed music distributed online. Collating separate studies in 16 countries over a three-year period, IFPI estimates over 40 billion files were illegally file-shared in 2008, giving a piracy rate of around 95 per cent.'"

12 of 331 comments (clear)

  1. Well then there is only one solution... by 3seas · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... Tell the Artist to stop making illegal music.

  2. In other news... by PixelThis · · Score: 4, Funny

    95% of statistics are made up on the spot.

  3. furthermore... by el3mentary · · Score: 2, Funny

    117% of people don't understand percentages.

    --
    I reject your reality and substitute my own.
  4. In other news by kpainter · · Score: 5, Funny

    5% of all music downloads are overpriced.

  5. 100% by Nonillion · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sheesh, why not say it's 100%, or even 99.999% At least come up with some believable percentage for crying out loud..

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    "I bow to no man" - Riddick
  6. Re:Inflation... by calmofthestorm · · Score: 3, Funny

    Funny, the RIAA reported the figure at over 9000%. Clearly we must be fair and balanced, and average both sides to reach a compromise.

    (>9000% + 95%) / 2 is >4547.5%

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  7. Re:Sales are up so who cares by TFer_Atvar · · Score: 3, Funny

    Fighting piracy is like punching marshmallows.

    Man, making s'mores at your house must get interesting!

  8. Re:Sales are up so who cares by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Man, making s'mores at your house must get interesting!

    I hate those uppity blobs and take every opportunity to torture them into submission.

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    Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
  9. Best selling single by Xelios · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The top-selling digital single of 2008 was Lil Wayne's Lollipop with sales of 9.1 million units"

    I think my hope for the human race just died a little.

    --
    Murphey's fighting Occam, and we're in the stands.
  10. Re:Sales are up so who cares by ScrewMaster · · Score: 2, Funny

    I hate those uppity blobs and take every opportunity to torture them into submission.

    You talkin' marshmallows or record company executives?

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    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  11. Re:Sales are up so who cares by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 4, Funny

    You talkin' marshmallows or record company executives?

    Yep.

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    Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
  12. Re:Inflation... by pipatron · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ok, you're excused by your username, but seriously, your taste in music must be really bad if you *own* the crap on the billboard toplist... :P

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