Downloaders 'Unfazed by Lawsuits'

[The Finman]

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<h2><font color=#003399>Downloaders 'Unfazed by Lawsuits'</font></h2>
The threat of legal action has done little to deter European internet users from downloading pirated music and films, according to a research company.

Albums and films account for 70-80% of all internet traffic in Europe, traffic filtering firm Sandvine has reported.

Trade body the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) recently announced it would begin suing the most prolific song-swappers in Europe.

It said that while it had not seen the report, it expected to see "regular peaks and troughs" in the level of file-sharing activity.

The IFPI is following the example of the Recording Industry Association of America, which has filed thousands of legal actions against alleged prolific file-swappers.

Sandvine also reports a difference in the way files are downloaded between US and European consumers.

Mr Colman said about 30% of all broadband users in the US and Europe used peer-to-peer services to access files containing music, TV shows or films.

But there has been conflicting research into the effects of the legal threats, with the industry itself reporting that its policy of suing was working well to reduce the amount of piracy in the US.

Jay Berman, chairman and chief executive at the IFPI, said an increase in broadband take-up could be one factor in any increase in file-sharing activity.

He said: "In the UK for example, with broadband increasing over the next few months we'd expect a huge increase in peer to peer activity, even if consumer behaviour remains unchanged.


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