Fans won't go legal on downloads

Music fans are continuing to download songs illegally instead of staying within the law and paying to use alternatives such as Apple iTunes.

The number of internet users regularly buying music tracks fell from 16 per cent in 2006 to 14 per cent last year, according to a survey by research group The Leading Question.

A quarter of people questioned said they continued sharing files illegally while using legal download stores such as iTunes and 7 Digital. On average, music fans pay for 3.32 single track downloads per month while just as many have tried downloading pirated singles for free.

Record labels have been advocating paid-for download sites as they try to reverse the massive slump in record sales since the file-sharing trend began. Bands such as Radiohead have tried new marketing techniques such as allowing fans to download their music then pay what they think it is worth. And Prince gave away his new album to promote concert ticket sales.

Tim Walker, of The Leading Question, said: "Many music fans are telling us they are dissatisfied with the current legal, paid- for digital music experience. " However the British Phonographic Industry said download sales grew more than 42 per cent in the first half of last year.