1 in 4 Australians access content illegally

The Department of Communications has released new research on the levels of online copyright infringement in Australia and why people choose to download content illegally.

TNS Australia conducted a survey for the department between 25 March and 13 April 2015. It was closely based on surveys undertaken by the United Kingdom Government, so the results for the two countries could be compared.

The research shows that Australians are consuming a significant amount of digital content, with 60 per cent having done so during the survey period across four main content types surveyed: movies, music, TV programs and video games.

Four in ten content consumers, or 43 per cent, had consumed at least some illegal files (compared to 21 per cent in the UK). This represents a quarter of all Australian internet users, or 26 per cent.

The graph below shows why Australians infringe.

Free TV commented its members put significant time and resources into making their products and services available legitimately to viewers for free. Free TV members invest heavily in Australian content – $1.54 billion in 2013-14 – and in a range of new and innovative delivery platforms to meet consumer demand.

Free TV will continue to work with government and industry to implement measures to reduce piracy and its detrimental effects on content owners.

Further information and a link to the complete report here.