Seven million illegal downloaders in UK, claims report

 

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By Jennifer Scott

Posted on 29 May 2009 at 16:15

About seven million people in the UK are guilty of illegal downloading, according to a new report.

It claimed that the UK economy is losing £12 billion each year as a result.

The research was commissioned by the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property and released in the lead up to the Digital Britain report.

It criticised policy makers for not understanding public attitudes towards downloading.

The report listed consumer confusion, denial of responsibility and denial of injury as some reasons justifying downloads. "None of these justifications explained the sheer volume of unauthorised materials that are being shared, leading us to consider the idea that unauthorised downloading has become a simple reflex for some digital consumers," the report claims.

Because of the scale of downloads, prosecutions aren't likely. "If all who undertake unauthorised downloading, uploading and sharing were prosecuted, up to seven million Britons would have a criminal record," the report notes.

"However, it is also an international problem that needs an international solution through countries working together.

"We can't expect 12-year-olds to become copyright lawyers before they can switch on a computer, but we can educate people on enforcement and work towards getting the right people caught and punished - wherever they live."