Those who advocate locking up all those who pimply faced teens who illegally download music may need to start advocating having a prison on every block in the industrialized world. A study by the University of Hertfordshire in England found that not only have 96% of all 18-24 year olds downloaded music illegally and (89% of 14-17 year olds), but that the average iPod consists of about 800 illegally downloaded tracks—or 48% of the number of total tracks of an average iPod.

The study also found that most music fans would be willing to pay to some extent for a subscription service, and the researchers have already begun to try to convince the major record industries to switch to such a system. Frankly, EMI's got enough to deal with on that end already before they start making major reforms. [The Times (U.K.) via Daily Swarm]