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Boy Scouts Introduce Merit Badge For Not Pirating
The_Slaughter writes "The MPAA has recruited the boy scouts of America to do their dirty work. Scouts will now be able to learn a merit badge for anti-piracy related activities, including creating public service announcements urging others not to steal movies or music. No word yet on if that includes helping the MPAA file lawsuits against 80-year-old grandmothers."
It makes sense since the Boy Scouts of America shares its initials with the Business Software Alliance
Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
Scouts also must choose one activity from a list that includes visiting a movie studio to see how many people can be harmed by film piracy.
I wouldn't worry. When they see the true extent of the "harm" caused by movie and TV piracy, they'll be heading to thepiratebay.org the moment they're near a computer.
Scouts will be instructed in the basics of copyright law and learn how to identify five types of copyrighted works and three ways copyrighted materials may be stolen.
Cool, they'll be teaching them how to do it, too.
Can I get a merit badge for not being a boy scout?
-Grey
Silver Clipboard: Time Management Tips
How about they create a "Hollywood Accounting" Merit Badge? The scouts can pursue activities like Screwing People Out of Money and Establishing a Distribution Monopoly? Or the "Hollywood Agent" Merit Badge; they can learn about Being A Money-Grubbing, Bloodsucking Parasite?
Insisting on "correct" English is like saying that there is only one, definitive recipe for chili.
I want to get one of those merit badges for my son, but they cost too much. Does anybody know somewhere I can download one from?
Proud neuron in the Slashdot hivemind since 2002.
"Are THOSE the people hurt by piracy?"
"Oh, no, Billy, the carpenters are paid whether the film sells or not. They aren't the ones hurt by piracy".
Later they see some writers, smoking cigarettes and muttering under their breath. "Are those the people hurt by piracy"
"Oh, no, Billy. It's kind of complicated, but we actually don't pay them no matter how well the movie does. It's called 'accounting'"
Then they pass a group of actors. "How about them, are THEY hurt by piracy?"
"Oh, no, Billy, they get paid even if the movie flops, no matter how many people pirate it. They're supposed to get extra if it does well, but, well, there's that 'accounting' again"
Billy then points to a director, sitting in a chair. "Is HE the one hurt by piracy"
"Well, you're getting a little closer. He's a little better at 'accounting'. But piracy really doesn't hurt him all that much either"
"Then who IS seriously hurt by piracy?"
"Well, Billy, it's not normally a part of the tour, but just for you, we'll make a special trip."
So Billy and the tour guide go to the studio offices. Up, up they go to the very top floor. The guide takes Billy to a large office with a door. "Billy, if you stand right here and look through the door, do you see the man there"
"Yes"
"That's one of the vice presidents of the studio. Thanks to piracy, he could only buy 3 Porsches last year instead of 5, and had to cut his cocaine habit in half. He can now only maintain one mistress, and she's in her LATE 20s. This studio alone has 30 executives, and they're all similarly suffering. And THAT'S who is hurt by piracy. NOW do you understand why you mustn't pirate movies?"
"Loud and clear," said Billy, "Loud and clear". Billy then went home, told his parents he was quitting the Scouts, and asked if they could get a faster Internet connection
First there's your basic shoplifting.
Second there's the classic breaking and entering.
The third way is a little tricky. You have to forcibly board a boat and seize their copyrighted materials at swordpoint.
Bonus points for recognising which one involves piracy.
Olde Joke
Q: Why was Michael Jackson kicked out of the Boy Scouts?
A: He was going through a pack a day.
Trolling is a art,
Given the link in your sig, I'd say you're quite the expert on inanity.
Q: When does a Cub Scout become a Boy Scout?
A: After he eats his first Brownie
a. What is a copyright?
b. Why do copyrights matter?
c. Identify five types of copyrighted works (two may be your own). For each, give the author/creator and the date the work was copyrighted.
d. Name three ways copyrighted materials may be stolen. Visit a video sharing network or peer to peer website and identify which materials are copyrighted and which aren't. Ok, I am done. Now give me my Badge!