Aussie pirates still raiding online content

Despite the recent rise of new IPTV and streaming services in Australia, around 5.2 million of consumers or 26per centof internet users have viewed at least one item of online content illegally in the first three months of this year.

 The ongoing pervasiveness of online content piracy has been revealed in a study commissioned by the Department of Communications and undertaken by TNS Australia in March and April.

Among the 26 per cent of Australians that obtain online content illegally, movies were the most popular category at 48 per cent  followed by music  at 37 per cent, TV programs at 33 per cent) and video games  at 22 per cent.

The survey revealed that among internet users who consumed content online over the 3 month period, 43 per cent watched at least one item illegally.

TNS estimated that 254 million music tracks, 95 million movies, 82 million TV programs and 9 million video games were illegally consumed online in the first quarter. The median number of files downloaded or streamed illegally was highest for music (20 tracks), followed by TV programs (7), movies (5) and video games (2).

In parallel research conducted in the UK market, the rate of online piracy was less than half of Australia’s at 21 per cent, while movies accounted for just 25 per cent of illegal consumption.

The new data is being used by the Australian government and copyright owners to support their bid for legislation that will enable rights holders to ask judges to block overseas websites that facilitate piracy.

According to the research most people download pirated content because it is free with respondents stating that they would be encouraged to stop if legal content were cheaper and available more quickly.

Significantly, 21 per cent of those surveyed said they would be encouraged to stop downloading illegally if they got a letter from their ISP threatening to suspend their service.

TNS also  found that 43 per cent of internet users were not confident in knowing which online content was  legal, rising to 50 per cent of females and 55 per cent of people aged 55 plus.

The ongoing pervasiveness of online content piracy has been revealed in a study commissioned by the Department of Communications and undertaken by TNS Australia in March and April.

Among the 26 per cent of Australians that obtain online content illegally, movies were the most popular category at 48 per cent  followed by music  at 37 per cent, TV programs at 33 per cent) and video games  at 22 per cent.

The survey revealed that among internet users who consumed content online over the 3 month period, 43 per cent watched at least one item illegally.

TNS estimated that 254 million music tracks, 95 million movies, 82 million TV programs and 9 million video games were illegally consumed online in the first quarter. The median number of files downloaded or streamed illegally was highest for music (20 tracks), followed by TV programs (7), movies (5) and video games (2).

In parallel research conducted in the UK market, the rate of online piracy was less than half of Australia’s at 21 per cent, while movies accounted for just 25 per cent of illegal consumption.

The new data is being used by the Australian government and copyright owners to support their bid for legislation that will enable rights holders to ask judges to block overseas websites that facilitate piracy.

According to the research most people download pirated content because it is free with respondents stating that they would be encouraged to stop if legal content were cheaper and available more quickly.

Significantly, 21 per cent of those surveyed said they would be encouraged to stop downloading illegally if they got a letter from their ISP threatening to suspend their service.

TNS also  found that 43 per cent of internet users were not confident in knowing which online content was  legal, rising to 50 per cent of females and 55 per cent of people aged 55 plus.