Music theft is declining in the UK

(ETX Daily Up) – The music business has long been a favorite target for theft. In the UK it looks like that is going to change. According to the Intellectual Property Office, by 2021 only 15% of Britons will have downloaded songs and albums illegally.

The organization surveyed 5,000 Britons about their music consumption habits between March and April 2021. Most of them listened to, downloaded, or bought music on streaming sites during this period.

However, for many Britons streaming is the most popular listening method. More than 40% of those surveyed by the Intellectual Property Office have used services such as Spotify and Apple Music to listen to songs by their favorite artists. Only a quarter of those surveyed downloaded music, and few bought vinyl or CDs.

Epidemic, music theft is the driver of change

Even if it drops by 3% in 2021, illegal downloads will continue. Very few music enthusiasts download songs and albums to create pirate copies. But this is still a minority phenomenon: most music lovers prefer legal downloads and streaming to engage in their favorite pastime.

Intellectual Property Office To explain This decline in theft by essential space occupied by music and other forms of entertainment during epidemics. “Most respondents reported that access to entertainment at various times improves their mental health by distracting them from the daily reality of epidemics,” the organization explains in its annual report.

However, there is a question: at a time when streaming services provide access to lists of millions of topics, why still resort to music theft? Easy … and lack of knowledge about some of the features of Spotify and its competitors. Russ Groopnik, Musicwatch Specialist Analyst, Explained Last April most pirated music enthusiasts did so in order to listen to their favorite songs without an internet connection. However this option is offered by all streaming services.