Music E-Commerce, MP3 Technology And Recording Music Illegally

Music e-commerce set to increase three-fold in 2000

The percentage of the GB music-buying public purchasing music from internet suppliers for postal delivery is set to grow three-fold - from just 4% to 12% - in the next 12 months. Also, 7% of the GB music buying public say they would like to buy or rent music within the next 12 months by downloading it off the web. However, this demand is unlikely to be met as most of the major record labels do not allow their music to be sold in this way. This result comes from a quarterly tracking study of the impact of new media on the entertainment industry run by MORI Technology (the new media and IT research division of MORI).

Mark Uttley, MORI's e-music expert, states: 'These results prove that there is significant demand amongst British music buyers for purchasing music through the web. This puts pressure on music labels and retailers to adapt their distribution channels and pricing models so that this demand can be met.'

Over half of the British population copy music recordings illegally

Over half (53%) of the GB population have copied music recordings without paying to do so; which is in fact illegal, although not strictly enforced. Music cassettes are the most often copied (by 36% of the GB population), followed by CDs (copied by 24%).

However, the largest worry for the music industry comes from the growth in CD-to-CD illegal copying. Advances in technology mean that consumers can now copy CDs on their PCs using 'CD writers'. Currently, 6% of the GB population are copying CDs in this way, whilst a further 25% say they are attracted to buying CD writers so that they can copy CDs without paying. These results come from a quarterly tracking study measuring the impact of new media on the entertainment industry run by MORI Technology (the internet and new media research division of MORI).

Mark Uttley, MORI's e-music expert, states: 'The British evidently care very little about copyright issues. This is extremely worrying for the music industry, especially as improvements in digital technology are making music copying easier than ever before.'

British public confused about MP3 technology

Despite speculation within the music industry that MP3 is set to radically change the way it operates, currently only 1 % of the GB population have a portable MP3 player. Moreover, 25% of the population claim they do not understand enough about MP3 technology to want to buy an MP3 player in future. However, there is also evidence that the GB public could become interested in MP3 technology: 20% claim they could be persuaded to buy an MP3 player in order to obtain free music from the internet.

MP3 is a new music technology that allows consumers to 'download' music from the internet and store it on a portable device similar to a personal stereo. These results come from 'e-entertainment', a quarterly tracking study measuring the impact of new media on the entertainment industry run by MORI Technology (the internet and new media research division of MORI).

Mark Uttley, MORI's e-music expert, states: 'It appears that industry excitement is not matched by excitement among consumers. This survey sends a clear message out to MP3 manufacturers and web sites offering downloadable music to educate the British public better about MP3 technology.'

Technical details

Research carried out with a representative sample of 2072 members of the GB population across 156 sample points during 3rd - 7th February.