From BBC News:

People who illegally share music files online are also big spenders on legal music downloads, research suggests. Digital music research firm The Leading Question found that they spent four and a half times more on paid-for music downloads than average fans.

“The research clearly shows that music fans who break piracy laws are highly valuable customers,” said Paul Brindley, director of The Leading Question.

…

“There’s a myth that all illegal downloaders are mercenaries hell-bent on breaking the law in pursuit of free music.” In reality hardcore fans “are extremely enthusiastic” about paid-for services, as long as they are suitably compelling, he said.

All I know is I spend a lot more money on “quality” music rather than “crap” music. I think the record industry’s real fear is that it is starting to take a lot more than successful marketing to sell music… you actually have to have a good product too.

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