Half of average teenager's MP3s are illegal

Here at Guardian/Music we have never ever done anything illegal. Ever. However, our squeaky-clean ways are not followed by The Average Young Person, whose MP3 player contains more than 800 illegally downloaded songs.

Research into the music consumption of 14-24-year-olds found that, on average, 50% of the content on their MP3 players was downloaded illegally. The survey, commissioned by the British Music Rights (BMR) organisation, was carried out by the University of Hertfordshire between February and March 2008 and is the largest study into young people's music ownership ever carried out.

The study also revealed that 58% have copied music from a friend's hard drive to their own, whereas 95% copied music in some way. Uploading music for others to share was seen as "altruistic", but there was also good news for the music industry. Apparently, 80% of current P2P users would be interested in a legal filesharing service - and they would pay for it too.

Feargal Sharkey, BMR's chief executive and ex-frontman of punk band the Undertones, responded warmly to the results, saying: "The music industry should draw great optimism from this groundbreaking survey." He added: "First and foremost, it is quite clear that this young and tech-savvy demographic is as crazy about and engaged with music as any previous generation. Contrary to popular belief, they are also prepared to pay for it too. But only if offered the services they want. That message comes through loud and clear."

The BMR is attempting to drum up support for the music industry by persuading internet service providers to offer a subscription service, offering unlimited downloads for a monthly fee. The report follows the arrest of six people last month for illegally downloading music files. They became the first individuals ever to be charged with such an offence in the UK.


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Luni Coleone

   
Artist: Luni Coleone

   Genre(s): 
Rap: Hip-Hop
   

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Discography:


   
 Luni Coleone-Anger Management

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 20

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Rihanna to star in 'Mama Black Widow'

Rihanna is set to star in upcoming film 'Mama Black Widow'.

The film, based on a 1969 novel by former pimp Iceberg Slim, tells the story of a black household in the 1930s American south.

The 'Umbrella' singer will play the troubled and tragic sister of Otis Tlison, Carol. She will star opposite Kerry Washington, Mos Def and Brian J. White. The film is scheduled to be shot in the fall of 2008.

The film will be directed by Darren Grant, who made his name directing music videos for the likes of Destiny's Child.

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Depp donates $2m to children's hospital

Johnny Depp paid a secret visit to London's Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital on Sunday - and donated $2m of his own money to thank staff for saving his young daughter's life.
The 'Sweeney Todd' star arrived unexpectedly at the hospital, where his eight-year-old daughter Lily-Rose was treated last year when her kidneys failed.
Last week, the actor - who has two children with his partner Vanessa Paradis - invited five Great Ormond Street doctors and nurses to the party for the London premiere of his film 'Sweeney Todd'.
Last November, unknown to the public, Depp spent four hours at the hospital telling bedtime stories to patients dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow after having his 'Pirates of the Caribbean' costume flown over from Los Angeles.
In March last year, Lily-Rose, Depp's oldest child, spent nine days at Great Ormond Street after E.coli poisoning led to the failure of her kidneys.
Filming at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire had to be put on hold as her condition worsened so much it was feared she might not live.
Depp, who on Sunday was named Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes for his role in 'Sweeney Todd', later said of the scare: "It was the most frightening thing we have ever been through. It was hell.
"But the magic is that she pulled through beautifully. Great Ormond Street was terrific, a great hospital."