YNOT – Streaming audio and video on the Web, either free or for a reasonable fee, appears to be making a dent in content piracy, according to ongoing research conducted by Global Web Index. According to an initial survey of 16,000 netizens, most users are driven to peer-to-peer networks and other sources of stolen content more by a desire to obtain new material as soon as it is available than by a yen to obtain something for nothing.For several years, adult webmasters have touted the benefits of live streams over pre-recorded and static content. Live streams remain nearly impossible to hijack, and therefore tend to produce more revenue than easily ripped content residing on a server. However, GWI’s research indicates even recorded material can turn a profit if it’s made available quickly, in forms consumers seek and at rates they’re willing to pay. Cost of acquisition is not the major stumbling block for most consumers, survey respondents indicated — delay in availability is.

GWI’s statistics indicate 64 percent of internet users routinely watch video clips online; almost one-third watch full-length television programs via the Web. Only 13 percent admitted to “sharing” videos, although 27 percent said they have downloaded free video to their computers. The most active internet users are the most likely to avail themselves of copyright-challenged content on the P2P networks, according to the research, but even they admit a dislike for file-sharing and its associated hazards. Were the content available in any other way, the research indicates, P2P file sharers would take advantage of it.

Mainstream has taken notice.

“Thanks to the rise of online services such as Spotify, Hulu, iPlayer and of course YouTube, the environment has been created where you can stream almost all the content you would ever want,” Trendstream Managing Director Tom Smith told The Washington Post. Trendstream partnered with Lightspeed Research to found the Global Web Index. “If everything I want is available on demand, the concept of ownership is diminished. I no longer need to have it on my hard drive. I just play what I want when I want.

“This is not only a threat to traditional packaged sales of music, TV and film, [but] it will also kill off piracy,” he added. “Why pirate when you can stream?”

The first phase of GWI’s streaming research surveyed Web users in 16 worldwide markets during July. The U.S. and the U.K. provided the largest samples at 2,000 each, followed by 1,000 users each in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China and Canada and 750 users each in The Netherlands, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, India, South Korea, Australia and Japan. A second wave of surveys is planned for December and January.