The number of films, television series, books and games downloaded from the internet without payment is increasing, despite efforts to stop the practise, say researchers.

Researchers from Amsterdam and Tilburg universities found internet users have switched to other sites or reach The Pirate Bay by another route, PC World reported.

Last year, the courts ordered Dutch internet servers to block access to The Pirate Pay. In the Netherlands it is not illegal to download music and film without paying for them but it is illegal to offer them to others free of charge.

The researchers say 24.5% of all downloads made in December 2012 were illegal, compared with 24% in May 2012.