The conclusions of Digital Music Nation 2010, which for the first time harnesses data and trends from both the legal and illegal side of the street, will make sobering reading for politicians and the media.

In the most comprehensive and sophisticated study of how people consume their music digitally the BPI estimates a total of 1.2bn illegal tracks will be downloaded by the end of this year; a figure which dwarfs the 370m tracks that will be purchased in 2010. ...