I’ve completed my music project of loading all my CDs onto my Mac–a grand total of 138 albums, about 4 days’ worth of music. I’m pleased to have made this conversion, and when I can fit a new iPod into my budget, I’ll be happy to load it up (I’m going to need a 32GB at least).

So many pretty colors!

It’s exciting, this new technology, but also a little sad for me. I remember vinyl records, 8-track tapes and cassettes–holding the music in my hands, reading the liner notes, memorizing the the order of the tracks. When I look back at the albums I played over and over again when I was young, they are complete sets of songs–the order in which they followed one another and fit together formed the work in its entirety.

I agree with some artists who say that digital downloading destroys the continuity and therefore the artistic integrity of their albums. People want only one or two songs that they’re familiar with, and all the rest of the artist’s work is ignored. I’m as guilty as the next person on that count. I do make a point of previewing all the songs on an album that has the one song I like, though, and I will buy the whole thing unless the one good song is a complete aberration and the rest of the work is crap.

The distressing part to me about downloading is that it’s leasing rather than actually buying. You pay for certain rights to play a song, but you don’t own your copy of it as you do when you purchase a CD, so you can’t give or sell it to anyone else without violating the Terms of Service to which you agreed (without reading them, I know) when you first signed up with Apple.

I doubt that anyone currently understands all the ramifications of this new business model, but I’d guess that theoretically, everything I purchase from iTunes could someday be taken away from me without compensation (this would be called “suspending my account”). I think that’s really sad, and short-sighted on the part of the content providers.

I bought P!nk’s CD in large part so I can own “Glitter in the Air,” my latest favorite song. I might even download this amazing video to my iPod at some point because that’s another thing that iPods are good for.

This is the problem. The internet has spoiled me. I expect quality content, quality newspaper articles, quality magazine articles, quality blog posts, and quality movies costing tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, for free. I don’t want to pay for any of that shit, because if I can get it for free, why shouldn’t I? I mean, who cares if these talented journalists get turned out onto the street just because they aren’t willing to work for free? I expect free quality entertainment, and if I don’t get it here then I’m going to go somewhere else. It’s the same thing with food, construction, transportation, electricity, police and fire protection, insurance, whatever. I expect all of it to be free. And handed to me on a silver platter. Thanks to the internet.

You heard about Aaron Swartz? This guy made reddit and RSS. He was a pretty smart dude. Only now I have to write about him using the past tense because he killed himself after getting his ass busted for trying to make all of JSTOR’s data into a free torrent. Now I’ll be the first to admit that the punishment the government was chasing after was way too severe (20+ years for downloading academic journals?), but goddamn, this guy, Aaron, he broke the law and he stole. It’s just like those stupid videos that come on before movies telling us PIRACY IS STEALING: you wouldn’t walk into a video store and steal a dvd, so why are you downloading all those torrents? It’s the same goddamn thing.

But just like Aaron Swartz, I’m all about transparency and freedom of information. I wish there was a goddamn camera jammed into the ass of every last member of Congress, every single Supreme Court Justice, and every last worker in The White House, from the president down to the gardener, and I wish you could watch all of these cameras at the same time from a single webpage. That would be awesome. I wish people in the poorest third world village on Earth had 24/7 access to wikipedia. That would be great too. But something’s got to give. You can’t expect good movies, good newspapers, good magazines, and good books, to be free. Not when the people who make them need to eat. Even the dudes behind facebook are scared of making you pay a couple of bucks a month to use their website—which is obviously one of the best ever designed—because they know that millions of you guys will ditch them in a heartbeat for some other facebook-like service which makes money by jamming farmville ads down your throat. Seriously. It’s just a couple of bucks. And facebook is awesome. No question. A billion people signed up for it. Yet that whole company would go the way of the dodo the moment it announced that it was abandoning ads and sponsored posts in favor of subscriptions. Because they’ve already spoiled y’all with endless reams of free shit.

The internet is a two-edged sword, offering more free entertainment than anyone could possibly consume, while making it harder than ever for people to pay for their food when they’ve created an app or an ebook or a website that’s actually pretty good. So, much as I despise the fascists who churn out The Washington Post, and much as hell will freeze over and much as the Devil himself will turn into a cherry-flavored popsicle long before I even think of glancing at one of their free articles, I’m glad they just decided to charge money for their content. I’m glad The New York Times does the same thing. Most of The New Yorker has been locked up from the beginning. I hope The Atlantic follows suit. I hope this race to the bottom has finally bottomed out. Twitter, Facebook, Google, Wikipedia, and every other insanely popular website that’s worth at least a couple of your dollars a month, should charge money for their services—they shouldn’t be free, because free things are (monetarily-speaking) worthless, and these websites aren’t worthless in the slightest. They should stop posting ads and start charging money. And you guys should pay.

Like I said at the beginning, maybe my book sucks. Maybe I didn’t advertise enough. Maybe nobody cares about my shit at all. Whatever, that’s cool. People got their own problems. But maybe there’s another factor here. Maybe people don’t want to shell out a few bucks for my book, because why should they pay for the few hours of entertainment it offers when they can troll the vast reaches of the internet for free? Why should any artist be able to live off of his or her art at all?

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

Read More Music News On Fresh1027.com:

• Stone Temple Pilots Sue Ex-Frontman Scott Weiland
• Star-Studded Tribute Pushes Cancer Victim’s Song Toward Chart Debut
• Queens Of The Stone Push Boundaries, Debut ‘…Like Clockwork’ At L.A. Tour Launch
• Muse To Turn ‘World War-Z’ Movie Premiere Into Concert
• Charli XCX Goes Full-On Club Kid For ‘Take My Hand’ Video
• Jennifer Hudson Rumored To Join ‘American Idol’ As Judge

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

See also: New Copyright Alert System Snitches On Digital Music Thieves

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

See also: New Copyright Alert System Snitches On Digital Music Thieves

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.

According to the latest Digital Music Report from the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music sales increased from $16.2 billion to $16.5 billion from 2011 to 2012, the first time sales went up instead of down in the past 13 years.

“It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air,” raved Frances More, chief executive of the IFPI in the report. “These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetized the digital marketplace.”

But despite the music industry’s positive outlook, a new study from British communications regulator Ofcom done over the third quarter of 2012 found that 10% of internet users aged 12 and above had illegally downloaded at least some music, with only 11% paying for downloads and another 6% paying for online subscription services.

When asked why they chose to acquire music illegally, 50% of those surveyed said they simply preferred to get their tunes for free as opposed to paying for them. 46% cited the convenience, with another 43% saying it’s a quick way to get new music. Only 26% claimed they used illegal downloading as a way to preview music before purchasing it.

Ironically, those same reasons were given by survey respondents when asked why they chose to pay for new music. 45% of those who purchased music online called it easier and more convenient, with 40% saying it’s quicker to simply pay for an album as opposed to searching for a free (and typically illegal) download. It’s interesting to note that 33% preferred to purchase music content for moral reasons, saying it was wrong to access music illegally.

The news comes on the heels of the new Copyright Alert System, which will give illegal downloaders “six strikes” before they’re alerted by their ISP to cease and desist. Punishments include slower internet speeds.

“Consumers whose accounts have been used to share copyrighted content over P2P networks illegally (or without authority) will receive Alerts that are meant to educate rather than punish, and direct them to legal alternatives,” said said Jill Lesser of the Center for Copyright Information in a blog post.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation, global music piracy accounts for $12.5 billion of economic losses annually.