When kids in Europe were asked why they illegally downloaded music, they answered “because everyone else is doing it,” which was also the answer to: “Why did you get a lame tribal tattoo?”, “Why do you hate America so much?” and, “Why did you do it with Nichole Ritchie?”

In general, though, the poll found that the recording industries claims that downloading free music hurts artists is without merit. And they’re right: almost none of the “royalties” collected by the RIAA’s lawsuits on parents and children have gone to the downloaded artists.

If the recording industry wants us to take them seriously, they’ll need our respect. This poll shows that is exactly what they don’t have.

Kids justify illegal downloads, study finds [ZD Net]