In what is possibly the least surprising news story of 2009 so far, a report released by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry has revealed that most people download music without actually paying for it.
Despite 2008 seeing a record growth in digital music sales, the report says that the majority of music was downloaded for free with no payments being made to the artists.
Speaking to the Guardian, John Kennedy, chairman and chief executive of the IFPI commented that: "Music companies have changed their whole approach to doing business, reshaped their options and responded to the dramatic transformation in the way music is distributed and consumed."
Despite this, research carried out in some 16 countries suggests that 40bn files were illegally downloaded last year alone.
In a modicum of good news for the likes of Simon Cowell and Metallica, 2008 did see a 24% rise in paid-for single track downloads, while digital album sales were up by 36%.
It is estimated that digital album sales are now worth around $3.7bn (£2.5bn) worldwide. And soon Spotify will save us all! Allelulia! AMEN!
