September 29, 2008 11:11

iPhone rivals to kill off internet piracy?

New mobile music services could also have a drastic effect on CD sales

New mobile phone music services such as Sony Ericsson's PlayNow Plus and Nokia's Comes With Music could reduce internet piracy considerably, a new study has claimed.

But the services, which are being promoted as a major rival to Apple's iPhone, could also have a negative effect on the sale of CDs.

Both phones come with music, and PlayNow Plus offer users a range of 'unlimited' options that allow them to download as many tracks as they want, as previously reported.

Market researcher TNS Technology interviewed 1,000 people aged between 16 and 64 about the new mobile music services.

Some 38 per cent said the services would lead to them reducing their use of illegal file-sharing websites such as Sendspace and Megaupload, reports The Guardian.

The survey also found that 45 per cent of users would buy fewer CDs because of the services, while 47 per cent said they would be discouraged from using digital download stores like iTunes.

TNS states that over a quarter of the people interviewed expressed a keen interest in signing up to the mobile music services.