Pupils get lessons on downloading

Kids are set to get lessons on how to download, copy and swap music legally after some people got in trouble for ripping off the music industry.

Music and education bosses have teamed up to put together a pack, which will also teach kids about careers in music and how artists make their money.

Around 1,600 schools have signed up for the lessons for 11 to 14-year-olds.

Music firms have got tough on illegal downloading, with one 12-year-old in the US getting a huge fine last year.

Could downloading music get you in trouble? Click here to find out

Music piracy, including illegally swapping music online, costs the music industry millions each year and has been blamed for a decline in CD sales.

Brian McFadden is among the artists who have spoken out on the issue.

"The more that's downloaded illegally the less money there is for record companies to try and develop new acts and it just means you're going to have less and less new artists coming out and that's the only sad part," he told Newsround.

Click here to read out full interview with Brian

"For me it's okay and people that are already established it doesn't really affect us that much. But for new artists it really does affect them."

Your Comments

I think that having lessons on how to download legally is a good idea because it can help people from not getting in trouble by illegally downloading.

Jusi, 15, Slough

I think it's a great idea and it may just stop people illegally downloading and ripping off the music industry.

Beth, 11, Littlehampton

It's a waste of time. Everyone I know downloads music for free and will keep on doing it. Who would want to pay for music when you can have it for nothing.

Lucy, 12, Cardiff

I think that it is a good idea to teach children because then it will lower the chance of them doing it illegally.

Alex, 10, Brixworth