More music consumers using legal downloads

From Reuters:

Around 35% of music consumers now download tracks legally via the Internet and the percentage will soon pass the 40% who have pirated music...

Fear of prosecution, Internet viruses, and inferior quality were cited as the main deterrents against illegal downloading, the report said. Nearly two-thirds of music consumers said immediate availability was the key reason for buying tracks online.

"The findings indicate that the music industry is approaching a strategic milestone with the population of legal downloaders close to exceeding that of pirates," Entertainment Media Research chief executive Russell Hart said...