This statistic presents the findings of a survey on the computer software consumption, by paid or free accessing, among computer software consumers in the United Kingdom (UK) from August 2012 to March 2018, in seven survey waves. As of the most recent survey wave, ending March 2018, 29 percent of those who had consumed computer software did so entirely for free.
Was the computer software you consumed paid or free?
Characteristic
100% Paid
Mix of Paid and Free
100% Free
March 2018
54%
17%
29%
March 2017
26%
17%
58%
March to May 2016
25%
19%
56%
March to May 2015
24%
17%
59%
March to May 2013
25%
18%
57%
November 2012 to January 2013
28%
18%
53%
August to October 2012
24%
18%
59%
0%25%50%75%100%125%
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all who have downloaded or streamed/accessed computer software in the past three months
Supplementary notes
* Base of most recent survey wave (Wave 8). Base varied by wave: n (W2) = 661; n (W3) = 751; n (W4) = 685; n (W5) = 577; n (W6) = 582; n (W7) = 615; n (W8) = 572. Online (CAWI) and face-to-face (CAPI) surveys were used. The source does not provide detailed information regarding the question. The chosen wording here might therefore differ slightly from the survey.
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Intellectual Property Office (UK), & Ofcom, & Kantar. (July 6, 2018). Was the computer software you consumed paid or free? [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/291283/computer-software-consumption-by-paid-and-free-in-the-uk/
Intellectual Property Office (UK), und Ofcom, und Kantar. "Was the computer software you consumed paid or free?." Chart. July 6, 2018. Statista. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/291283/computer-software-consumption-by-paid-and-free-in-the-uk/
Intellectual Property Office (UK), Ofcom, Kantar. (2018). Was the computer software you consumed paid or free?. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 22, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/291283/computer-software-consumption-by-paid-and-free-in-the-uk/
Intellectual Property Office (UK), and Ofcom, and Kantar. "Was The Computer Software You Consumed Paid or Free?." Statista, Statista Inc., 6 Jul 2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/291283/computer-software-consumption-by-paid-and-free-in-the-uk/
Intellectual Property Office (UK) & Ofcom & Kantar, Was the computer software you consumed paid or free? Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/291283/computer-software-consumption-by-paid-and-free-in-the-uk/ (last visited April 22, 2025)
Was the computer software you consumed paid or free? [Graph], Intellectual Property Office (UK), & Ofcom, & Kantar, July 6, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/291283/computer-software-consumption-by-paid-and-free-in-the-uk/
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