Music Piracy Still a Scourge

The latest MusicWatch Annual Music Study, estimates that there are 17 million stream-rippers in the U-S during 2018, up from 15 million in 2017.

Stream-ripping is not a casual activity either.  The top 30 percent of streamrippers are copying 112 files, on average – the equivalent of more than 10 full music albums. That may not seem a lot in a world where streaming services hold millions of songs, but ask any rights holder how they feel about someone copying their works.

Stream-ripping doesn’t just displace traditional types of music purchasing. MusicWatch consumer research shows that the main reasons cited by people who use stream-rippers are often to substitute for features offered by subscription music streaming services. This includes the ability to load files on their device for access to songs offline, and not having to pay for songs individually.

It’s somewhat absurd that the same search and app platforms that promote legitimate music streaming services don’t do more to discourage apps that promote piracy. One-quarter of users pointed out how they find these stream-ripping apps at the app stores, or through a search. Certainly the app and search companies could do more to educate consumers about which uses potentially constitute copyright infringement.

Research shows that stream-rippers are more likely to participate in other unsanctioned forms of music sharing such as downloading songs from unlicensed mobile apps, or sharing on digital lockers. Stream-rippers tend to be better educated and from higher income households, negating the excuse that piracy is driven by lack of financial resources.