Coldplay 'wrong' on download boycott

Legal action against illegal file-sharers has helped to bring an 8 per cent rise in global digital-music revenues, but an industry report claims stars should stop boycotting streaming services such as Spotify.

A rise in the take-up of legal music-subscription services helped digital revenues to hit $5.2bn (£3.3bn) in 2011, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said.

One in four internet users still accesses unauthorised services on a monthly basis. But legislation to inhibit file-sharing has caused a drop in illegal activity.

The removal of the US file-sharing site LimeWire and the Hong Kong-based Megaupload has helped to reduce the use of peer-to-peer services by 26 per cent.

However, music fans need to see the latest releases on legal services and the decision by artists including Coldplay, who withheld their Mylo Xyloto album from Spotify to maximise full-price sales, is harming the industry.

Rob Wells, president of Global Digital Business at Universal Music, said: "While the individual payment for a stream is lower than a download, every time that track is played it triggers a royalty payment. Artists need to be patient."