Global digital music sales slowing despite piracy crackdown

"The crackdown on websites aiding distribution of pirated content such as LimeWire and Pirate Bay failed to stem falling music sales last year, according to industry figures that show that the global growth in digital music halved in 2010.

"Record labels struggling to replace revenues from tumbling CD sales cautiously hailed a shift in government attitudes toward taking action against illegal downloads – led by France, Ireland and South Korea – and the potential growth in revenue from music consumption via smartphones and tablets.

"However, online piracy remains the biggest issue facing the music industry with total global sales estimated to be down between 8% and 9% in 2010 and the growth of digital revenues halving to 6% globally, at $4.6bn (£2.88bn)."

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