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WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Media mogul Rupert Murdoch says Google is the online "piracy leader" as Washington grapples with intellectual property rights. Hours after President Barack Obama issued a statement responding to two petitions about legislative approaches to combat online piracy, the Australian-born-turned-American media mogul Murdoch began tweeting his opinions on the issue.
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"So Obama has thrown in his lot with Silicon Valley paymasters who threaten all software creators with piracy -- plain thievery," he tweeted.
Obama said any U.S. legislation governing piracy would have to be crafted so as not to interfere with legitimate businesses.
"Any provision covering Internet intermediaries such as online advertising networks, payment processors or search engines must be transparent and designed to prevent overly broad private rights of action that could encourage unjustified litigation that could discourage start-up businesses and innovative firms from growing," the president said.
In response, Murdoch took shots at search engine giant, Google, for promoting movie piracy.
"Just been to Google search for 'Mission Impossible.' Wow, several sites offering free links. I rest my case," Murdoch wrote. "Piracy leader is Google who streams movies free, sells [ads] around them. No wonder [it's] pouring millions into lobbying."
