Digital downloads topped 2m last week


USA Today reports -- quoting the most recent Nielsen SoundScan survey -- that legal music downloads last week topped 2 million for the first time. Apple's iTunes Music Store has been the far-and-away leader in this market and to date none of its competitors has offered anything more than rhetoric to contest its position.

The on-going buzz of the Pepsi-iTunes 100 million-song giveaway likely is playing a role in driving online music sales. Also, with 100,000 pre-orders and much pent up demand, the release this week of the iPod mini could also be a source of new online music sales, as buyers load up on music before their widgets arrive.

A new legal tactic

News.com reports that a New Jersey woman being sued by the RIAA has in turn filed suit against the music industry oligarchy mouthpiece citing federal anit-racketeering statutes -- ie the same legal statues prosecutors use against mobsters and gangs. Here's a quote from the article:

"A New Jersey woman, one of the hundreds of people accused of copyright infringement by the Recording Industry Association of America, has countersued the big record labels, charging them with extortion and violations of the federal antiracketeering act."

Though legal experts quoted in the story say the tactic is a long shot, this approach seems at first (emotional) blush appears to hold water. However, the record between the-moneyed RIAA and its less-affluent targets is mixed at best.

Editor's note: Is Apple's music download market share being eroded or is the juggernaut just gathering steam?

What's your take?