Spotify stems interest in illegal downloads

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 6 Nov 2009 at 09:43

Almost two thirds of people who admit to illegal downloading claim Spotify has led them to cut their use of illegitimate services or stop using them altogether.

The research of more than 2,300 British adults, commissioned by Moneysupermarket.com, will raise hopes that providing attractive alternatives to illegal downloads will prove more effective in curbing piracy than draconian clampdowns.

The survey found that one in eight Brits admit to downloading copyrighted music illegally. However, 62% of those illegal downloaders said Spotify's unlimited streaming service had encouraged them to reduce the amount they download illegally or to stop using such services completely.

The news comes just a week after the Government confirmed controversial plans to start disconnecting illegal file-sharers from 2011.

Spotify has emerged from nowhere to become a household name in the space of a year. The service had to revert to an invite-only system earlier this year, after the release of the Spotify iPhone and Android apps placed huge demand on the company's servers.

Spotify is part-owned by the music labels, but it still awaits to be seen whether its blend of paid-for subscription services and advertising-supported free streaming is a sustainable business model.

The music industry isn't the only one benefiting from Spotify's popularity. Moneysupermarket.com claims that interest in streaming and video services has led to an increase in the number of people looking for unlimited broadband accounts.