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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