Free Record Shops across the country last week took the unilateral step of cutting VAT on music products like CDs and DVDs from 21% to 6% – but only for a day. The move was the start of a campaign asking for a cut in VAT to rates more similar to those applied to books and concert tickets, in an effort to stimulate sales and combat illegal downloading. The campaign was kicked off on 25 June by singer Stijn Meuris, who sold CDs behind the counter of the Ghent store, and closed by Nathan “N8N” Ambach in Antwerp later in the day. Another 35 local artists took part at various locations.