Us journalists never break the law. I've never done anything illegal in my life, especially not since starting writing for Elle. However, if we were allowed to venture beyond the limits of legality, you can be sure that I'd spend my every waking moment downloading gigabytes and gigabytes of music MP3's from the internet.

Theoretically at least, it's a risky thing to do. In July, the Recording Industry Association of America prosecuted another 506 people in the US for doing just this – sharing music through what are known as ‘peer to peer' files sharing utilities, which allow two people on other sides of the globe to share music. Certain artists have similarly taken the issue of the theft of their music very personally. Madonna-fans might have thought that they were downloading an illegal copy of her latest album. What they got, however, was a sample of the herself shouting “What the fuck do you think you're doing?” Offending people who are only trying to listen to your music seems a pretty stupid thing to do. Hearing this made me want to download her entire back catalogue - just to imagine her perfectly botoxed-face breaking into a wrinkly, haggard frown.

I also quite like the idea of doing something that upsets the music industry. The anarchist in me is quite happy to deprive this bloated, inefficient institution of money that would otherwise go straight up the nose of an overpaid executive in New York or London . What exactly is their main argument to persuade people not to download? Perhaps depriving us of the next series of Pop Idol? If the major labels spent time investing in exciting new acts rather than sticking to the tried and tested formula of a reality-TV produced pop group, then maybe everyone would be more inclined to stop stealing their music.

The music industry has historically been a bastion of conservatism. It has opposed the introduction of every technological innovation in the world of music. Musicians in America went on strike for a full year in 1944 over Radio stations playing recorded music. Nowadays most musicians would be prepared to perform lewd acts with animals in order to get on the radio. CD technology was similarly fought against when it was first developed, because some bright sparks in the industry didn't believe that vinyl-sized shop displays could be changed to fit the smaller format.

More recently, a new study launched in the States shows that internet downloads have "no statistically significant effect" on music sales. It seems perfectly logical. The majority of people who download – i.e. students – buy music when they can and download illegally when they can't. Part of the point of being a fan of a group is that it's like being part of a special kind of club, and owning a CD is like having a membership card.

This year's must-have accessory is a direct acknowledgement of the way MP3s have revolutionised the way we listen to music. Forget the Vuitton handbag. This year's it's the iPod mini that you'll find being sported by everyone from anorexic It-girls to teenage wannabes. The cell-phone sized device can hold up to 1,000 songs, but let's be honest - that's not the reason why people are queuing up to get hold of one. It's the iPod's sleek design and anodised body (available in five colours) that shoppers are lusting after, a status symbol that shouts ‘look at me! I've just spent $300 on a glorified personal CD-player!” After splashing out on one, I'd be surprised if you had any money left over to pay for legal MP3s. If you do download illegally, I for one won't be telling anyone. Just make sure Madonna doesn't find out.