Search engine Topix.net and the Associated Press are partnering to send traffic to newspaper sites that break stories, writes the Associated Press (via paidContent). The AP will identify the stories contributed by local papers - so that Topix's search engine can displaying links to the original material.

The effort is intended to address a common complaint among newspapers that provide the AP with stories. Search engine indexes list identical stories appearing throughout the web, with the original source often lost in the deluge.

Topix is controlled by Gannett, Knight Ridder and Tribune, which combined own a 75 percent stake in the company.