New research finds that U.K. residents who illegally share copyrighted music online spend four and a half times as much money on legal music downloads compared to those who don't share songs.

The report from U.K. research firm The Leading Question says that rather than taking legal action against downloaders, the music industry needs to entice them to use legal alternatives.

The recording industry maintains that music sales are down overall, and they blame that on piracy.

Paul Brindley, director of The Leading Question, says on average illegal downloaders spend about five and half pounds per month on iTunes, Napster and other sanctioned sites.

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