Pew: Internet downloads sharply down

The percentage of online Americans downloading music files on the Internet has dropped by half and the numbers who are downloading files on any given day have plunged since the Recording Industry Associationof America (RIAA) began filing suits in September against those suspected of copyright infringement. A fifth of those who say they continue to download or share files online say they are doing so less often because of the suits.

A new nationwide phone survey of 1,358 Internet users from November 18-December 14 by the Pew Internet & American Life Project showed that the percentage of music file downloaders had fallen to 14%(about 18 milusers) from 29% (about 35 mil) when the Project last reported on downloading from a survey conducted during March 12-19 and April 29-May 20.