Music
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has called for the European Union to force internet service providers (ISPs) to crack down on music piracy.
In its annual report the industry body said paid-for music downloads rose 40% last year but this was not enough to compensate for the ongoing "sharp decline" in CD sales.
It also estimated that for each song legally downloaded another 19 were illegally shared.
Chief executive and chairman John Kennedy said: "Copyright theft has been allowed to run rampant on their networks under the guise of technological development.
"ISPs have largely stood by, allowing a massive devaluation of copyrighted music. This in turn has prompted a crisis that has wide implications for the whole digital marketplace. The moment for EU legislation to be drawn up has arrived."
The Internet Service Providers Association said monitoring all data was unworkable.
"We do not support abuses of copyright and intellectual property theft," said a spokesman. "However, ISPs cannot monitor or record the type of information passed over their networks.
"ISPs are no more able to inspect and filter every single packet passing across their network than the Post Office is able to open every envelope."
In its annual report the industry body said paid-for music downloads rose 40% last year but this was not enough to compensate for the ongoing "sharp decline" in CD sales.
It also estimated that for each song legally downloaded another 19 were illegally shared.
Chief executive and chairman John Kennedy said: "Copyright theft has been allowed to run rampant on their networks under the guise of technological development.
"ISPs have largely stood by, allowing a massive devaluation of copyrighted music. This in turn has prompted a crisis that has wide implications for the whole digital marketplace. The moment for EU legislation to be drawn up has arrived."
The Internet Service Providers Association said monitoring all data was unworkable.
"We do not support abuses of copyright and intellectual property theft," said a spokesman. "However, ISPs cannot monitor or record the type of information passed over their networks.
"ISPs are no more able to inspect and filter every single packet passing across their network than the Post Office is able to open every envelope."
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