News

Lobbyist Group Says Google "Makes It Difficult" For Searchers To Find Legal Music Websites

12:18 p.m. · January 27, 2012 · by Andrew Winistorfer

A new lobbyist group is striking out at what it feels is a big problem in illegal downloading: Namely, that Google and other search engines make it too easy to find illegal downloads of copyrighted material. Anyone who has used Google to find MediaFire leaks of albums can speak to this. But what doesn't make much sense is what the lobbyist group--a conglomerate of lobbyists representing major copyright holders like record labels--expects Google to do about it. 

Apparently, they want Google to step up their efforts to shut down offending websites, and to filter search options to legal means of purchasing music that people are looking for. Here's part of what the lobbyists--based in the UK--sent to Google:

“Consumers rely on search engines to find and access entertainment content and they play a vital role in the UK digital economy,” the rights holders state. “At present, consumer searching for digital copies of copyright entertainment content are directed overwhelmingly to illegal sites and services.“The entertainment groups want Google to “continuously review key search words” and “effectively screen” mobile apps on Android smartphones in an effort to combat illicit sharing.

I guess I'm of two thoughts here. One: It should be easier to find legal ways to buy/listen to music. Two: I don't want Google to block out search results because some businesses tell them to. [Paid Content]