Paid download sites approaching popularity of P2P Networks

A study by the NPD Group of music download practices shows that online music stores such as iTunes, Napster and Rhapsody are used in nearly as many homes as P2P networks. "iTunes is more popular than nearly any P2P service, and two other paid digital music offerings have also gained a level of critical mass," concludes a spokesperson. "These digital download stores appear to have created a compelling and economically viable alternative to illegal file sharing."