Andre Yoskowitz
13 Oct 2009 14:50
According to a new report from the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry), about 3 million Swedes download unauthorized music, games and movies, about one third of the entire Swedish population.
Some believe the numbers are actually skewed, however, to the low side.
“I have about 250 students per year of whom hardly any have not file shared,” says Kristoffer Schollin, a scientist with a doctorate in intellectual property law. “It’s at 100 percent.”
Internet speeds in Sweden are ranked third highest in the world, on average, at about 12.8 Mbps. The US averages around 5.1 Mbps.
Despite the seemingly high number, the IFPI says the numbers are in a downtrend, following government intervention.
"Six out of 10 (users of file sharing sites) have stopped completely, or at least significantly lowered their use of illegal file sharing after the new legislation,"IFPI Sweden chairman Ludvig Werner added.
The report was based on a study of "music consumption habits" of 1,006 Swedes aged 15 to 74.