27/01/2012

A private report compiled by a coalition of entertainment groups claims that search engines are prioritising illegal websites over legal ones.

The Guardian says that the document, which was obtained under a Freedom of Information request, was submitted to the government on behalf of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the Motion Picture Association (MPA), the Premier League, the Publishers Association and the Pact, the film and TV independent producers' trade body.

In the report, the coalition says: "Consumers searching for … copyright entertainment content are directed overwhelmingly to illegal sites and services.

"This … significantly impedes the development of licensed digital entertainment markets in the UK."

In response, it calls for a Code of Practice to be developed, whereby search engines would begin penalising sites that are involved in distributing pirated material, while simultaneously promoting sites that contain licensed content.

Peter Bradwell of the Open Rights Group (ORG) told the BBC the proposals "boast barely a glimmer of democratic input or accountability".