13th August, 2004
Fair Use? What’s That?
Ah, the Business Software Alliance. One would think that they’re trying to become the next RIAA or MPAA what with the way they’re trying to stamp out P2P applications. You know, since P2P is eeevil and is the cause of all the software piracy in the world – all those operations in China that churn out gazillions of pirated CDs have nothing at all to do with piracy rates. Anyway, they’re now trying to brainwash 4th graders in the US with the ‘Play It Safe in Cyber Space’ mascot, a “copyright crusading” ferret (looks like a weasel to me – how apropos) who teaches kids about “good cyber ethics” which are, of course, one sided ethics that only benefit the corporations. This marks the 3rd year of the BSA’s efforts to quash copyright law.
Thankfully, this year, the American Library Association is stepping in and providing *gasp* a balanced view of copyright law which includes discussion of that silly little thing called “fair use”. The Electronic Frontier Foundation as well as the National Education Association are also taking steps to present a more balanced look at copyright. “We want to teach children to be thinking human beings,” said Melinda Anderson, a spokesperson for the NEA. “Not a parrot for some corporate agenda.” You go, girl! [via Wired]
Posted at 8:30 am | Comment (0)
