The IFPI has released its annual Recording Industry in Numbers report, with the headline stat being the fact that global recorded music revenues fell by 8.4% last year to $15.9 billion. Physical sales were down 14.2% to $10.4 billion, with digital rising 5.3% to $4.6 billion – 29% of total recorded music revenues. The Guardian digs into the digital stats, pointing to stagnation in the US – digital sales were up just 1.2% in 2010 – but stronger growth in Europe, with 21.6% growth, and most big markets seeing double-digit increases. Unsurprisingly, IFPI boss Frances Moore points the finger at piracy. “The demand for new music seems as insatiable and diverse as ever, and record companies continue to meet it. But they are operating at only a fraction of their potential because of a difficult environment dominated by piracy.”
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In the year or so since its launch, AI startup Kaiber has been making waves,…