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Google Cracks Down on Pirated Material Online

Measures will not extend to Google-owned YouTube

December 2, 2010 12:55 PM ET

In response to pressure from music and film companies and other copyright holders, Google announced a number of measures on Thursday intended to fight copyright-infringing material on the web, including a pledge to respond to requests for the removal of such material within 24 hours.

However, the company said these initiatives do not extend to YouTube, which is owned by Google. A representative for Google said in a conference call Thursday that the company already has "highly developed practices there," according to The Guardian. Companies such as Viacom and Universal Music, and artists including Prince, have cracked down aggressively when unauthorized versions of their content appears on the site.

Photos: Random Notes

Google will implement four major changes over the next several months. The most significant is that it will take action on "reliable copyright takedown requests" within 24 hours. The company will introduce new tools to make the process easier for rights holders to submit takedown requests.

The company will also prevent terms that are closely associated with piracy from appearing in its autocomplete search function (which anticipates the terms users are typing); improve its AdSense anti-piracy review (and expel violators from the program when it deems necessary); and explore ways to ensure that authorized preview content is more accessible.

Making Copyright Work Better Online [Google Public Policy Blog]

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