He said as resources were more stretched the "balance shifts" to less compliance with crime-recording systems.

BBC: Fall in crime in England and Wales 'may be exaggerated'

An RSPCA spokesman said the rise could have been due to the organisation improving its data recording systems, or because the act had made owners think more carefully about their ability to look after animals.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Sharp increase in unwanted pets

The recording industry is taking on Napster in court but other file swapping systems are quickly gathering fans and may be much more difficult to shut down.

BBC: Ready, Aimster, Swap

Similarly irrelevant are the protective locks that recording companies put on files to try to stop pirates from copying and sharing them, so called digital rights management systems.

FORBES: Free? Steal It Anyway