Downloading music illegally

Reading the article below brings mixed emotions:

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6894090.ece

We have all, at some time, recorded music that we haven't paid for. However, as a musician I know there has to be support for the musicians and composers that write and perform the music. If you go onto Youtube, there are plenty of videos with backing tracks of illegally used music.

The PRS has enforced licenses that venues have to pay for, to play recorded and live music. At least this results in a small amount of revenue for the musicians and composers.

But the internet is another beast entirely, and how can you regulate it. If it were any other business, people would be squealing. Imagine walking into a solicitors and taking 2 day's work of a contract being written; or an accountancy company and walking with your accounts and not paying. Yet the equivalent is someone performing music without paying the musicians and composers.
As the company director of a live music management company, I am fully aware of the impact of illegally downloading music - and also performing it. I had a row with a journalist who was writing about 'cheap' weddings. She suggested you download the songs you want onto an ipod and play those. Not only did it prevent a live musician being booked but there was no discussion about a PRS license being bought... This is just as illegal and immoral as the school boy who downloads and shares tracks.
I wait with hope that this will be resolved quickly.