Not that teenagers, dorm rats and computer geeks are exactly the type to appreciate the value of a dollar, but Texas-based think tank the Institute for Policy Innovation's report estimating the annual cost of music piracy to $12.5 billion is almost enough to make you think twice before you line up InSound's new release section in your SoulSeek cue. I say almost because, as Tiny Mix Tapes smartly points out, much of IPI's numbers rest on dubious data supplied by that most vocal of filesharing opponents, the RIAA. This includes the assertion that of 20 billion yearly illegal downloads, 20% would have otherwise been sold through legal channels '' the 20 billion being the industry estimate of download numbers for 2005 and the 20% being pulled from an outdated study conducted between 1998 and 2002. So there, I don't have to feel so bad about downloading after all.
OK but really, I guess this report, even if it seems to be wildly overshooting, must force us to admit to ourselves that downloading probably hurts someone somewhere. And maybe their families. But, hey, as long as that person isn't hanging around my living room asking for change when I'm checking to see if Graduation leaked, then you just can't expect me to feel sorry. Never stop the download!
With Truth Being Such A Subjective Concept And All That, Report Claims True Cost of Music Piracy to Economy Is $12.5 Billion A Year [Tiny Mix Tapes]