On October 1st, we first blogged on how Radiohead lets you name the price when downloading songs. Well, we have a bit of an update with how successful that has been (aside from the obvious publicity).  According to Forbes.com, the number of legal downloads is currently at 1.2 million from the Radiohead website, and the number of illegal downloads (from torrent distribution) is at 500 million.
When at first glance it seems odd that so many people would be downloading the album illegally, I mean after all why would someone pirate a song if they can theoretically download it for free?  The answer is simple, and the author explains.

Garland argues that this kind of digital theft is more a matter of habit than of economics. “People don’t know Radiohead’s site. They do know their favorite BitTorrent site and they use it every day,” he says. “It’s quite simply easier for folks to get the illegal version than the legal version.”

The article goes on to talk about how Radiohead has obviously benefited from the publicity, and has successfully received the attention of the recorded music industry.

“The recorded music industry … has for too long been dependent on how many CDs can be sold,” writes Guy Hands, EMI’s chairman. “The industry, rather than embracing digitalization and the opportunities it brings for promotion of product and distribution through multiple channels, has stuck its head in the sand. Radiohead’s actions are a wake-up call which we should all welcome and respond to with creativity and energy.”

I have to say I agree with the argument that this is a matter of habit, rather than of economics for illegal downloads.  Until it becomes easier to obtain songs and files through legitimate channels than it is through the pirate bay, this kind of behavior will continue.