Fact Sheet - Statistics On Internet Piracy Canada

The scale of broadband penetration in Canada (almost 35% of all households) has significantly exposed it to the impact of illegal file-sharing - sales have decreased by almost one-third in just five years. The Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) conducted a proactive education programme during 2003. The multimedia 'Keep Music Coming' campaign has featured TV ads, CD inserts (which say 'thank-you' to buyers for choosing to buy') and the creation of a website designed to inform young Canadians that when people buy music, they help artists create more music and give new artists a chance to be heard.

• In the past five years, retail sales of CD and cassette sound recordings in Canada have decreased by almost 30% representing losses of more than $425 million
  
  
• The top 10 bestselling recordings in Canada sold 5.9 million units in 1999 compared to 3.4 million units in 2003
  
  
• In 1999, 104 titles by Canadian artists received Platinum or Gold sales awards, in 2003 just 62 titles did so
  
  
• 58% of people in Canada are aware that file sharing of music from unauthorised internet services is illegal
  
  
• 62% of Canadians are aware of legal action by the recording industry against people who file share
  
  
• 54% of Canadians believe the industry is justified in these launching legal actions against people who file share
  
  
• The first legal online service in Canada, Puretracks.com, launched in October 2003, and celebrated its one-millionth download in February 2004. Archambaultzik.ca launched in mid-January, 2004