3/4 Of All UK Music Downloads Pirated In 2010

(Updated) Despite increased  industry efforts,  music piracy continues to grow. In the UK, 1.2 billion songs were downloaded illegally by 7.7 million people in 2010, according to recording industry trade group BPI.  That compares to 370 million tracks including songs on albums bought legally.

"Illegal downloading continues to rise in the UK," according to Geoff Taylor, BPI chief executive. "It is a parasite that threatens to deprive a generation of talented young people of their chance to make a career in music, and is holding back investment in the fledgling digital entertainment sector."

The BPI's "Digital Music Nation 2010" shows UK digital singles sales will reach 160 million in 2010 vs. 150 million in 2009. Digital album sales total 21 million in 2010, compared with 16 million in 2009.