Illegal Downloading's Effect on Global Music Revenue
Coldplay's XandY the year's top selling album as overall revenues decline.
According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, legal digital downloads have increased in revenue from 400 million last year to 1.1 billion, while global music revenue has fallen to $21 Billion, down 3 percent from last year. Since Napster started the illegal downloading craze, the music industry has been facing an uphill battle. Swift legal action has yet to deter an entire generation of listeners used to getting their music for free with the click of a mouse. The top selling album of the year was Coldplay's X&Y, selling more than 8 million copies in 2005, beating Mariah Carey for the top spot. Coming in third in sales was 50 Cent and his 2005 release "The Massacre."