BPI targets Google in file-sharing drive

In the latest move in its quest to defeat the never-ending legion of internet copyright offenders, the British Phonographic Institute has made an official request to Google to remove a number of links to leading file-sharing sites.

Those included in the demands include Megaupload, 4shared.com, Zippyshare, and MediaFire.

The moves come amidst growing concerns that many web users are using Google itself rather than dedicated file-sharing portal to source illegally copied material online.

We have identified the following links that are available via Google’s search engine,” the BPI wrote to Google, as reported by Cnet. BPI leaders request the following links be removed as soon as possible, as they directly link to sound recordings owned by our members.”

The BPI has been one of the most vocal supporters of aggressive internet legislation designed to protect IP holders and was a key campaigner for the controversial ‘three-strikes’ legislation that formed part of the Digital Economy Bill.