Broadband Downloaders 'Given Thumbs-up'

Illegal downloading of music and movies has become "entrenched" in the online habits of broadband users - and is therefore unlikely to be successfully cracked down on, according to a new report.

The study, conducted by online media firm Big Champagne and the MCPS-PRS said that file-sharing sites were now too popular to be done away with by broadband providers and music and film industry groups.

Speaking to the Financial Times, co-author Eric Garland explained: "These non-traditional venues are stubbornly entrenched, incredibly popular and will never go away."

The study also pointed to the recent apparent failure of rock group Radiohead's experimental release of its latest album In Rainbows - which offered the record for download from a website owned by the band in exchange for a voluntary contribution, which could have been nothing at all. Despite this inducement, the study said that a majority of downloads for In Rainbows since its release has been from illegal download sites.

"Even when the price approaches zero…people are more likely to act habitually (say, using [illegal site] Pirate Bay) than to break their habit (say, visiting www.InRainbows.com)," the report added.

The downloaders also gained a high-profile ally recently, pop singer Duffy. The Welsh artist, who had a hit with Mercy earlier this year, told ShortList that the illegal activity helped in "making music a part of everyone's lives".

She added: "[Downloading is] amazing. It basically gives people access, what's the harm in that?"