by the numbers

3

Number of dollars, in thousands, paid by defendants in more than 600 cases brought by the recording industry against people who illegally download music off the Internet. Federal copyright laws allow penalties of up to $150,000 per song.

2

Number of subscribers, in millions, to Netflix, a movies-by-mail service that’s a rival to video rental stores.

1

Number of Internet searches, in billions, initiated by Americans every 24 hours.