Worldwide Music Sales Decline 7.6% in 2003

Global recorded music sales fell 7.6% last year, the fourth straight annual drop, as illegal copying hurt firms such as EMI Group and Vivendi Universal and consumers spent more on video games and DVDs, an industry organization reported.

Sales dropped to $32 billion in 2003, said the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, a London-based group.

Sales of music in the U.S., the world’s biggest market, fell 6% after rising in the second half.