In Sweden, the home country of Spotify, streaming music is booming. Revenues from digital streaming grew by 79.4% in the first half of 2012. Revenues from digital downloads decreased by 14% and physical sales by 2.2%. Overall, music sales increased by 30.1% in Sweden. That's good news for the music industry. 

However, these figures do not apply to all countries yet. Globally, revenues from digital music sales are 30%. The Netherlands is lagging behind: revenues from online music are only 15%. This appears from a research report from the Dutch Ministery of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.

Altogether, it looks like digital music, especially streaming music, is truly starting to make a difference for music companies. After years of complaining, there might finally be a turning point for the music industry. 

Read more about the developments in the music industry on FutureOfCopyright.com:

• Study reveils obstacles to legal distribution of digital entertainment content
• Digital radio royalties start to make a difference for labels and artists
• Major changes in music industry: from offline to online, from product to service

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Business

By: Marjolein van der Heide