1. Status of File-sharing Software Use   ● The ratio of current users of file-sharing software is 3.5%.   ● The ratio of former users is 8.6%, giving a total experienced user figure of 12.0%.     The number of current users of file-sharing software is estimated to be approximately 1,755,100. Combining that with former users (approximately 4,326,600), the number of people that have used file-sharing software is approximately 6,081,700.

		·	“Current user” means people who have used file-sharing software after July 2005.
		·	“Former user” means people who used file-sharing software before June 2005.
		·	According to the “Internet White Paper 2006,” published by Impress R&D Ltd. in July 2006, the number of Internet users in Japan has been calculated to be 50,602,100.
		·	Experienced user ratio: 12% (current users [645] divided by total number of respondents [18,596]) + (former users [1,590] divided by total number of respondents [18,596])
		·	Current users: approximately 1,755,100 (number of Internet users (50,602,100) x (current user respondents [645] divided by total number of respondents [18,596])
		·	Former users: approximately 4,326,600 (number of Internet users [50,602,100] x (former user respondents [1,590] divided by total number of respondents [18,596])
		·	In a similar survey conducted in January 2005, the current user ratio was 2.7% and that of experienced users was 9.0% (i.e., combined with a former user ratio of 6.3%).
		·	As calculation bases are different, if the figures for the previous fiscal year are recalculated using the data reported in the “Internet White Paper 2005,” last fiscal year’s current users totaled approximately 1,297,100, and former users totaled approximately 3,302,100.

2. Main File-sharing Software Used   ● The main file-sharing software currently being used, in order of popularity, are Winny (33.3%), WinMX (24.5%) and Limewire (19.8%).

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In a similar survey conducted in January 2005, WinMX rated the highest at 54.8%, followed by Winny at 33.2% (current users).

3.  Number of Downloads in Past Year   ● The average number of downloads is 194 files (current users).   ● The breakdown by genre of file downloaded is: music-related, 87.1 files; video-related, 79.4 files; software, 8.7 files; photo/image-related, 11.2 files; and document-related, 7.8 files.

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In the survey conducted in January 2005, the total average was 236 files, and the breakdown by genre of files was: music-related, 95.2; video-related, 90.5; software, 5.2; photo/image-related 40.6; and document-related, 4.8.

4. Sharing Experience   ● A total of 32.6% of users (current users) have experienced file sharing (i.e., creating conditions where files can be sent to another individual).   ● The average number of files shared is 160.   ● The breakdown by genre of file shared is: music-related, 92.6 files; video-related, 55.9 files; software, 3.7 files; photo/image-related, 3.3 files; and document-related, 4.4 files.

		·	In the survey conducted in January 2005, 35.5% of the current users had experienced file sharing. The average number of files shared was 166, and the breakdown by genre of file shared was: music-related, 105.5; video-relatrd, 43.8; software, 1.4; photo/image-related, 14.8; and document-related, 0.2.
		·	Regarding questions, it was asked if users knowingly uploading files by themselves, and if there wasn’t any consideration for file-sharing software functions such as automatic uploading.

5. Percentage of Downloaded Files Subject to Copyrights, Etc.   ● It is estimated that 91.1% of music-related files, 86.2% of video-related files and 58.2% of software are subject to copyrights, etc., and it is assumed that authorized permission of the rights holder was not obtained.

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In the survey conducted in January 2005, it was estimated that 90% of music-related files and 86% of video-related files were subject to copyrights, etc., and assumed that authorized permission of the rights holder was not obtained.

6. Reasons for Discontinuing Use of File-sharing Software   ● “Concern for security or viruses” (46.2%) was entered the most. However, other reasons that many users quit included problems concerning copyrights such as “Copyright infringement or other issues” (26.4%) and “News of crackdown on users” (8.6%).

		·	In the survey conducted in January 2005, 31.3% of the respondents replied “Copyright infringement or other issues” and 30.5% replied “Concern for security or viruses.”
				A summarized report of the survey results can be downloaded, please click here (278KB)