Contrary to popular urban myths, downloading doesn't account but for a
tiny minorty in drop in cd sales. In fact research shows that cd
downloading increases are followed by greater sales for the same cd. It
is not unlike radio playtime, the more it is heard, either by download or
on the radio, the more likely for a purchase. The music biz needs to wake
up and smell the shrink wrap on recordable cdr's. It is a loss in quality
of music stupid and manipulation of talent in an attempt to create the
next "big" act that is at fault.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994831