While Apple is lording the success of it's billionth download, the record companies finally sealing up their Business models, there is a dirty little secret about. Music Towers was surprised to learn today to discover that P2P filesharing is officially higher then ever. Data from the online media measurement company BigChampagne says that the number of average simultaneous users on the P2P networks is approaching 7 million up 14% on 2005 figures and double that of 2005.

Although the pace has definitely slowed and the P2P networks are coming under the Media companies heat, as lawyers accountants gladly invoice for the preparations of the coming storm against them. Michael Weiss, CEO of Morpheus, during a Thursday discussion at Music 2.0. "Most P2P companies will be gone by the end of the summer," predicting "I would say there will be two or three standing,".

Negotiations with the leading P2P continues in the states with the RIAA giving eDonkey & Limewire chances to create paid upgrades to their services. Although only time will tell how successful these will be.