P2P file sharers found to be avid online music buyers

A study published today by UK research firm The Leading Question claims that people who share music files online also buy
four and a half times more music online than your average music
listener. Instead of tragically costing the industry
money, these people are apparently very interested in finding music online, and as a
result, buying more music from legitimate online channels.  Who’d of thunk?

"There’s a myth that all illegal downloaders are
mercenaries hell-bent on breaking the law in pursuit of free music. In
reality they are often hardcore fans who are extremely enthusiastic
about adopting paid-for services as long as they are suitably
compelling," said Paul Brindley, director of The Leading Question.

Perhaps the try before you buy theory of marketing is at work here afterall.  Or maybe these folks are just pre-disposed to transacting online.  But nevertheless, this study is one of many that confirms that there appears to be no direct correlation between filesharing and declining music sales.  Record companies should face the truth head-on and find ways to make file sharing work for everyone, as we suggest in the book.

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