Reston, Va. - Just 38% of consumers paid an average of $6 to download Radiohead's "In Rainbows" album during October, while 62% of global downloaders chose to pay nothing, according to a report from comScore, which counts a worldwide database of 2 million people whose online behavior it tracks. The percentage of consumers downloading for free in the U.S. (60%) was a bit lower than in the rest of the world (64%), although U.S. paying customers shelled out more on average ($8.05 per download) than did their international counterparts ($4.64).

Overall, the largest percentage of those who paid (17%) spent less than $4, while 12% paid between $8-$12, or the typical cost of a paid download from online retailers.

"I am surprised by the number of freeloaders," commented Fred Wilson, managing partner of Union Square Ventures. "The stories to date about the In Rainbows 'pick your price' download offer have been much more optimistic."

"The high percentage of users actually paying more than a few dollars for this download is actually pretty impressive," said Jim Larrison, general manager of corporate development at Adify.

"With 40 percent of consumers willing to pony up real money, this is a true win for the music industry as it shows there is still perceived value in the digital form of entertainment."

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/22or5d

http://www.comscore.com/blog

http://www.inrainbows.com