CDs 'more popular than music downloads'

The majority of UK music fans still prefer to buy CDs than download music online.

In what may be good news for copyright holders, the majority of UK music fans still prefer to buy CDs rather than download music content over the internet.

A survey by Music Ally's sister company The Leading Question revealed that 73 per cent of consumers are happier purchasing CDs than downloading on the web.

Even younger people, who typically embrace new technology at a much faster pace than their older contemporaries, favour physical albums and singles to digital music files.

Indeed, the research shows that 66 per cent of 14 to 18-year-olds would choose a CD over a digital download.

The findings may be welcomed by those fighting against online piracy, as consumer preference for CDs may mean people are less likely to share music illegally on the internet.

Tim Walker, chief executive of The Leading Question, said: "The continued popularity of the CD should be looked upon as an opportunity.

"We believe that labels and online stores could and should be doing more to build on music fans' familiarity with CDs to provide them with additional digital content and to use the CD as a bridge into the digital world."

However, even without online file sharing, music piracy remains a problem, as many music fans admit to burning copies of CDs instead of buying them.

The Leading Question found that 23 per cent of consumers share music with others in this way, which is a breach of copyright.

Separate research from the group on the intellectual property issue shows that the proportion of internet users who download music illegally is falling as the availability of free and legal music streaming services grows.