Google Strikes Back

Google announced early in December 2010 that they were taking steps to stop people from downloading illegal music and promoting legal music download sites. They have stopped Autocomplete from finishing words closely related to pirate material, such Torrent. They have also stopped advertising piracy sites in an attempt to squash the financial gain from these sites' activities.

"'If we make it easier for people to buy legal content they will be less likely to track down illegal content,' reasons Google EMEA copyright policy and communications manager Simon Morrison." (Ben Cardew).

Is This Working?

Ben Cardew writes about the Google's methods to stop online piracy and he helps to share all views on this subject. Some views are bad but most view Google's actions as a positive step against piracy. The UK music industry has praised Google and I am inclined to as well.

This source is a valuable piece of evidence as to what the world is try against online music piracy. The debate is explained clearly and I am in accord with Google's actions. It may not stop piracy all together as Cardew expresses but it does make a stand and at least represents that Google will not condone this behaviour.

References:

Cardew, B. (2010). Piracy: Google grapples pirates. Music Week, 1-3. Retrieved, April 4, 2011, from the International Index of Music Periodicals Database.