Unlimited access for a fixed price can stop teens from illegal downloading

The research, which was carried out by the University of Hertfordshire on behalf of the music body, showed that nearly two thirds of 14- to 24-year-olds illegally download music over peer-to-peer networks. Besides, UK Music said that 75 % of those surveyed admitted to sending digital music files by e-mail, Bluetooth, Skype, or MSN to friends and family, while 86 % revealed that had copied CDs for friends.

According to the research, 68 % said they listen to music on their computer and on average 14- to 24-year-olds have more than 8000 tracks on their PCs. Despite the recent popularity of music-streaming sites such as Spotify, 78 % said they wouldn't pay for a music-streaming service. Former Undertones member and CEO of UK Music Fergal Sharkey said: "Have they got the message that there is a thing called copyright and there is a philosophy of copyright? Yup. They get it. They just don't care."

Additionally, the research highlighted that 85 % of teens surveyed think a music download service that allows unlimited tracks to be obtained for a fixed price is a good idea, with 57 % claiming it would stop them illegally file-sharing. Just over half also said that artists should charge device manufacturers a fee to enable their tracks to be copied. "If they're prepared to work with us if we give them an all-you-can-eat download service, well then, as an industry we may then well have to step up to the plate and try to provide them with that kind of service," Sharkey added.