earsucker

Now kiddies can get in on the anti-piracy laws that are plaguing everyone. In LA, boy scouts can earn a “Respect Copyrights” merit patch. Via Boing Boing, I found this tidbit:

This tacky monstrosity is the “Respecting Copyrights merit patch” that Los Angeles Boy Scouts can receive if they consent to being brainwashed by the MPAA’s curriculum. Nice to see an organization in loco parentis shilling for a cartel of Fortune 100 companies.

Check this lame-brained idea out:

FYI: This “patch is not sanctioned by the Boy Scouts of America, thus it not being termed a “merit badge”.

From the MPAA,

“Working with the Boy Scouts of Los Angeles, we have a real opportunity to educate a new generation about how movies are made, why they are valuable, and hopefully change attitudes about intellectual property theft,” Dan Glickman, chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America, said Friday.

Via the LA Times:

The inspiration for the new badge came from Hong Kong, where the local Boy Scouts organization had its members pledge not to use or buy pirated materials. In addition, the Scouts agreed to search Internet file-sharing sites and turn in sites and users they see violating the law. The campaign was launched at a stadium before a slew of pop stars where the so-called “youth ambassadors” pledged to stem the rise piracy.

The move raised concerns from civil libertarians, who feared the group was creating thousands of young spies to snitch on copyright abusers.

Snitches get stitches!