London Police launch Infringing Websites List to deter advertisers

Following a recent report by US watchdog group Digital Citizens Alliance which revealed the top piracy websites make $227 million in advertising per year, an Infringing Websites List has been compiled by UK’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit, in the hops of stamping out this revenue stream.

The list is aimed at the online advertising sector, and contains a list of websites that are in breach of copyright laws, as compiled by numerous UK creative sectors including the BPI, the Federation Against Copyright Theft, and IFPI. The list is verified by the City of London Police, and aims to deter advertisers from dealing with these sites.

Frances Moore, Chief Executive of IFPI said: “Brands do not want to fund services that are operating illegally and Operation Creative [the wider taskforce] helps them to effectively put that principle into practice.  We urge more brands, networks and others in the advertising industry to work with the City of London Police on this programme that is being closely watched by other law enforcement agencies around the world.”