According to the Digital Music Report 2008 released by International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the internet service providers have not taken adequate measures to curb the online music theft despite a good volume growth seen in online music industry.

Currently, many music recording companies offer a wide range of albums in digital format via internet. This helps the customers to download these albums without visiting music or video shops. The growth achieved by online music industry during the last few years is quite phenomenal. The sales number indicates over US$2.9 billion worth music albums were sold via internet. The year to year growth has also gone up by 40 percent when compared with the sales figures of 2007.

However, the online music theft and the illegal circulation of music remains a thorn in flesh of the online music companies. Recently, an appeal was made to ISPs on behalf of the government to take actions to prevent these things but it still has to yield good results.

In this scenario, the IFPI suggest that stringent actions should be taken against the infringers on behalf European Union and the governments of all countries across UK.

The CEO of IFPI, John Kennedy commented:
“A turning tide of opinion is one thing – a concrete programme of action is another. There is only one acceptable moment for ISPs to start taking responsibility for protecting content – and that moment is now.”