This is actually banner news! It's a large PDF file, but worth reading the whole thing

When asked what impact free downloading on the Internet has had on their careers as musicians, 37% say free downloading has not really made a difference, 35% say it has helped and 8% say it has both helped and hurt their career. Only 5% say free downloading has exclusively hurt their career and 15% of the respondents say they don't know...

67% say artists should have complete control over material they copyright and they say copyright laws do a good job of protecting artists...

Some 60% of those in the sample say they do not think the Recording Industry Association of America's suits against online music swappers will benefit musicians and songwriters. Those who earn the majority of their income from music are more inclined than "starving musicians" to back the RIAA, but even those very committed musicians do not believe the RIAA campaign will help them. Some 42% of those who earn most of their income from their music do not think the RIAA legal efforts will help them, while 35% think those legal challenges will ultimately benefit them.

Hey, gals and guys over at the RIAA? Take the hint. The lawsuits are not an effective means to stop downloading; the actual musicians (you know, those people you ostensibly represent) don't want you suing their fans; what's it going to take for you to finally notice that big ol' barrel of coffee in the main room?

Thanks to Cory for the tip.