The BPI (BRITISH PHONOGRAPHIC INDUSTRY) have claimed commercial music piracy increased last year by 13% - six times that of legitimate album sales.
According to their latest survey, that figure corresponds to an increase of 2.1% in sales of music in the UK. They claim criminals illegally manufacturing and selling music increased their business in the UK to £56.1m.
BPI Chairman Peter Jamieson said: "Though illegal filesharing has grabbed the headlines for much of this year, on market stalls and at car boot sales around the country criminals are ripping off artists, they are ripping off the people who invested in the music – the record companies – and ultimately they are ripping off the consumer. Stealing the music of today damages the music of tomorrow."
The BPI is the trade association representing UK record labels.
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