When the same question was asked in November 2003, 27% answered that they downloaded or shared files less often since the legal action began.
In contrast, the number who claimed that their downloading and file-sharing activity has not been affected by the lawsuits fell to 60% in February 2004, down from 71% last November.
The survey also found that the total number who download files is on the increase. Pew's telephone research of 1,371 adult internet users found that the number who download music files – from both authorised and unauthorised sources – increased an estimated 18 million to 23 million since the Project's November 2003 survey.
The survey tracked the number of visitors to licensed music services like iTunes, Listen.com, Wal-Mart's Music Store and Napster – but did not appear to track the number who actually bought from these services.
In the most recent study, 58% of respondents claimed to be indifferent to copyright – but that is an improvement on the 70% who claimed indifference when asked the same question in March 2003.
