A united music industry is now taking the initiative for a campaign against illegal downloading of music. Artists, songwriters, record companies (music companies) and other rights holders in the music sector will, through the Piracy Kills Music campaign, focus on the unfortunate social consequences of the increasing illegal downloading. The campaign will be launched on February 8 at this year's by:Larm in Trondheim.
/ 06/02/2007 / codexHere is an excerpt from the campaign's press release:
In recent years, illegal downloading has increased dramatically. Since 1998, music sales have decreased by 30%. Since last year alone, the number of units sold has decreased by 12%.
Every year, between 8 and 16 billion are illegally downloaded, just in Norway. A very conservative estimate indicates an annual loss for the industry of at least 200 million kroner. Studies show that young people between the ages of 13 and 25 make up the main group of illegal downloaders. Of these, almost 50% state that they do not know that illegal downloading and file sharing are prohibited. The initial goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of what is and is not legal.
If we can reduce the level of ignorance, a lot has been done in the first place. This is not a campaign where 15-year-olds are to be arrested in the boys' room after police raids. It is a campaign where the cultural aspect is to be put on the agenda, and that an increased focus on the consequences of illegal downloading will lead to a greater understanding that this is a fight for good and varied music – also in the future.
www.piracykillsmusic.no
Wide support from the artists