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BPI CEO gets defensive about Virgin Media partnership

16 June 2008 22:04 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 3 comments

Last week BBC writer Bill Thompson attacked the deal Virgin Media made to send out letters on bealf of the UK's equivalent of the RIAA, the British Phonographic Industry. It's part of the BPI's campaign to "educate" broadband internet users about illegal downloading. Now Geoff Taylor, head of the BPI, has published a response on the organization's website, and not surprisingly it reads a lot like a creative writing assignment.

Taylor says "Independent research has shown time after time that people who download illegally generally spend less on music than people that don�t, which undermines investment in new music."

Conveniently he doesn't provide any sources for his claim. Fortunately we have Google to help out, and wouldn't you know it, Taylor apparently has it exactly wrong. Every study done on the subject seems to reach the same conclusion, just not the one Taylor does.

They show that people who share music on P2P networks also buy music, and more of it than non-file sharers. Now it's entirely possible file sharers are buying less than they would without P2P, but that doesn't make it any less short sighted for the recording industry to go after their most loyal customers.

After all, how else would you describe people who clearly know how to get your product for free but continue to pay you for it anyway?

Permalink to this article | Topics: Lawsuits & Legislation MP3 & Digital Audio Online music services

BPI involved in two major piracy busts in UK (17 April 2009)

Virgin denies it will disconnect 'pirates' from the Internet (3 July 2008)

EFF shoots down "making available" argument in Jammie Thomas case (23 June 2008)

Future for record labels doesn't look bright (21 June 2008)

MPAA to judge: We don't need no stinking proof (21 June 2008)

RIAA prepares to drop long running P2P suit for a lack of evidence (20 June 2008)

New study: young people prefer to reward artists and peers for music (17 June 2008)

Virgin and BPI send letters to suspected pirates (6 June 2008)

British police arrest 6 former OiNK users (3 June 2008)

Carphone Warehouse will not comply with 'three strikes' copyright plan (6 April 2008)

Virgin Media gives pirates "three strikes and you're out" alternative (31 March 2008)

Four found guilty of conspiracy to infringe copyright in UK (24 March 2008)

OiNK's bail date extended (5 February 2008)

Parliament considers changes to U.K. copyright law (9 January 2008)

UK IP Minister thinks CD ripping should be legal (8 January 2008)

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7thsinger (AfterDawn Addict) 16 June 2008 23:20
This guy is laughable at best. *Quote:* Taylor says "Independent research has shown time after time that people who download illegally generally spend less on music than people that don�t, which undermines investment in new music." on too... *Quote:* Conveniently he doesn't provide any sources for his claim. and furthermore... *Quote:* Every study done on the subject seems to reach the same conclusion, just not the one Taylor does. So this cat's "independent research" shows the exact opposite of every other demographic out there? Hmmm. Methinks he may NOT be a credible source of information. [ + quote]
Blackjax (Member) 17 June 2008 0:15
ah..... wait...... wait..... wait..... yes, yes it is true..... his "independent studies" looks like, smells like, and yes were pulled out of his backside. now on with the show..... [ + quote]
emugamer (Member) 19 June 2008 12:28
Ha ha..."independant" of the facts. [ + quote]