Google, Bing and more sign agreement to remove pirate websites from search results

pirate website

Effective immediately, the chances of copyright infringing websites showing up in your search results are drastically reduced

The UK Intellectual Property Office, the government body responsible for intellectual rights, has brokered an agreement with leading search engines and the creative industries to stop internet users from accessing copyright infringing sites.

According to the gov.uk, the agreement, explained that the Voluntary Code of Practice, “is dedicated to the removal of links to infringing content from the first page of search results.” Signatories of the Code include Google, Bing, BPI and the Motion Picture Association.

The Code will come into force immediately, with an aim to reduce the visibility of infringing content in search results by 1 June 2017. Discussing the grounds behind the Code’s implementation, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, Matt Hancock, said:

“We are one of the world’s leading digital nations, and we have a responsibility to make sure that consumers have easy access to legal content online. Pirate sites deprive artists and rights holders of hard-earned income and I’m delighted to see industry led solutions like this landmark agreement which will be instrumental in driving change.”