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A new consumer survey claims that around 2.5 million people in the U.K. burn roughly 126 million CDs per year from Internet downloads. The survey was commissioned by labels body the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and conducted in association with trade bodies British Videogram Assn. and the Film Distributors' Assn. The survey is based on an initial sample of 1,440 Internet users, with further questions answered by 1,000 downloaders. According to the survey, around 5 million people in the U.K. currently download music from the Internet, at an average of 19 tracks each per month. That level, the BPI says, equates to more than 1 billion tracks being downloaded in the U.K. per year. Two-thirds of the downloaders questioned say they burn music onto CDs. In a statement, BPI executive chairman Peter Jamieson says the survey "provides a unique insight into the greatest growth opportunity for the music industry since the launch of the compact disc." But, he adds, "the reality is that although this survey measures usage of all music download services—paid-for, free record company sites, and illegal sites—the bulk of current downloading activity is illegal." Jamieson also calls upon the U.K. government to take action "to give us the protection we need to deal with such theft."

TOM FERGUSON

Country singer Kasey Chambers leads the nominations for the 2003 Australian Performing Rights Assn. (APRA) Awards, with five nods. Rock act Silverchair is the second-most-nominated act, with three. The awards will be presented May 19 in Sydney. Chambers' "Not Pretty Enough" (published by Gibbon/Sony/ATV) is up for song of the year, against Silverchair's "The Greatest View" and "Without You" (Sony/ATV), the Waifs' "London Still" (no publisher), and Grinspoon's "Chemical Heart" (Shock). The awards are voted for by APRA members. Christie Eliezer



Italian citizens caught in possession of illegally produced recordings now face increased fines of up to 154 euros ($168) under legislation brought in to coincide with Italy's adoption of the European Union Copyright Directive (Billboard, April 19). Previously, the fine was only 52 euros ($57.48). Under the new law, repeat offenders will pay up to 1,032 euros ($1,129). Sellers of illegal recordings will be subject to three-year prison sentences, plus a fine of 103 euros ($112) for each illegal copy seized. Unauthorized distribution of music via file-sharing software will also be treated as a crime. While Italy's Copyright Law of 2000 already contained stiff sanctions for music pirates, enforcement was poor. Italy is the third EU nation, after Denmark and Greece, to implement the directive. Mark Worden



London-based Ministry of Sound has begun offering almost 100,000 tracks for legitimate download from its Web site. All five majors are supplying content to the dance brand's service. Users can purchase downloads for 99 pence ($1.58) each at ministryofsound.com. Tracks can be burned to CD or transferred to a portable device. Alternatively, a monthly payment of £4.99 ($7.94) gives the user 500 credits. Permanent downloads cost 100 credits, while 30-day, timed-out downloads are 10 credits each. Broadband streaming is priced at £1.50 ($2.38) for 24 hours of access, during which users can connect up to 10 times. Lars Brandle



Antonio Guisasola has been elected president of Spanish labels' body AFYVE by the association's management committee. He replaces Carlos Grande, who had held the post since 1975. Guisasola had been director of AFYVE, the local International Federation of the Phonographic Industry affiliate, since September 2002. Prior to that, he was AFYVE's deputy regional director of intellectual property. Guisasola says his first priority will be to form a consensus against the "brutal growth" of piracy in Spain. HOWELL LLEWELLYN



Christophe Lameignere has taken the new position of president of BMG France's music division, following the departure of Bruno Gérentes (Billboard, March 22). Lameignere was formerly managing director of Zomba France. He will be responsible for the artistic, marketing, promotional, and catalog management side of BMG France's business. He will report to Maarten Steinkamp, who retains a dual role as president of BMG International and BMG France. Steinkamp says Lameignere will "bring the fruit of his 20 years of industry experience to his new functions" at BMG. A former GM of Epic at Sony Music France, Lameignere launched Zomba Records France in 1999. He will play a key role in the ongoing integration of Zomba/Jive into BMG, working closely with recently appointed BMG France COO Christophe Waignier. JAMES MARTIN