In somewhat light hearted news, Hollywood movie studios and music labels are taking the fight against piracy to the schoolyard. The Motion Picture Association of America (the MPAA), and the Recording Industry Association of America (the RIAA), along with five internet service providers, came together to create the center of copyright Information in September of 2011. Earlier this week, the centre sponsored the non-profit group Internet Keep Safe, to draft a curriculum for Californian schools.
The curriculum is supposed to help the students understand, amongst other things, the importance of creativity, ownership, copyright, and fair use. It will be aimed to teach students in kindergarten to the sixth grade. As expected the news has been received with mixed reactions. Some think the idea is good, and others are skeptical.
While I agree its necessary for school children to understand the effects and problems of piracy, I can’t help be slightly worried. It would be naive to ignore the fact that this would be a perfect opportunity for corporate America to soak the young impressionable minds of children with their propaganda. In the past, the music industry, especially in America, have been known to slightly exaggerate the negative effects which come with piracy.
Source:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0d35295c-30a5-11e3-b478-00144feab7de.html#axzz2hSCRP2tn
