Entertainment companies, broadband providers and the Government have teamed up for a major campaign to persuade UK consumers to use only legal download sites.
The Creative Content UK campaign has today announced it will provide £3.5m to help with an education awareness drive launching early next year.
It will be aimed at all potential online users, advising about trustworthy sources and giving guidance on internet safety.
Another element of the scheme will see some internet providers advising customers if their accounts are thought to be being used to access material which infringes copyright and telling them where they can find legal content.
Among those involved are music industry body the BPI, the Motion Picture Association and internet providers such as Sky, BT and Virgin Media.
Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: “It will play a central role in raising awareness of copyright and pointing people toward legal ways to access content, and I welcome this effort.”
Geoff Taylor, the chief executive of the BPI, described the scheme as a “landmark initiative”, adding: “It should mark a real step forward for digital entertainment in the UK.”
Creative industries are estimated to contribute £71.4bn towards the UK economy.
In 2012, annual digital sales of music, video and games broke through the £1bn barrier for the first time.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Education is at the heart of this drive so people understand that piracy isn’t a victimless crime – but actually causes business to fail, harms the industry and costs jobs.”