Lots of bloggers are trying to catch up on their Dutch today after TNO, a reputable Dutch research firm, released a 142-page PDF file of their recent study in their native language. Preliminary translations of the report indicate the researchers do not believe illegal downloads hurt the overall profits of the music industry. In fact, the report indicates, piracy can stimulate the entertainment industry as a whole.
TechDirt has translated a portion of the research that suggests individuals who download music and movies illegally tend to go to more concerts or showings and spend more money on merchandise. You can practice your Dutch and read the PDF file here.
The findings of this report corroborate a recent ruling in Virginia, where Judge James P. Jones found that “customers who download music and movies for free would not necessarily spend money to acquire the same product.” In other words, pirates probably wouldn’t purchase the music or movies they steal anyway, so the industry didn’t really lose anything.
Meanwhile, Neutral Milk Hotel’s In the Aeroplane over the Sea is still selling like crazy, so if anyone can find Jeff Mangum, maybe we can make him Secretary of the Treasury.