Recording Industry Funds Charity To Run Its Latest Brainwashing Program

from the why-should-a-charity-be-hyping-one-industry's-business-model? dept

We’ve already seen the entertainment industry put together propaganda curriculums for kids about “intellectual property” that are so tilted and one-sided that the kids roll their eyes and challenge many of the statements. But that’s not stopping the industry. Now it’s funding a children’s charity to push out the same propaganda to kids, warning the kids about how awful file sharing is, and how dangerous it is. Who knew that charities could be funded to promote the obsolete business model of a dying industry? Somehow I doubt that the charity’s discussion will delve into things like “fair use,” collaboration, sharing, the promotional aspects of content and artists who embrace file sharing to good results. I wonder why…

Filed Under: , , , ,

Rate this comment as insightful
Rate this comment as funny
You have rated this comment as insightful
You have rated this comment as funny
Flag this comment as abusive/trolling/spam
You have flagged this comment
The first word has already been claimed
The last word has already been claimed
Insightful Lightbulb icon Funny Laughing icon Abusive/trolling/spam Flag icon Insightful badge Lightbulb icon Funny badge Laughing icon Comments icon

Comments on “Recording Industry Funds Charity To Run Its Latest Brainwashing Program”

Subscribe: RSS Leave a comment
19 Comments
barren waste says:

Heil Copyright!

First of all, they mislead you by calling it a charity. Charity is showing compassion to those less fortunate. Any child with access to the internet does not fall under that category by my thoughts. That said, yes, children should be made aware of the dangers inherent to the internet, but why does it cost so much that a charity is needed? With a couple of hours and one or two hundred dollars I could make a website, type a guide, and hand out several thousand fliers. Where does the money they raise go? And why isn’t it being used for solving something that actually requires large sums of cash?

Secondly, the recording industry is unethically buying laws and forcing consumers into modes of conduct that do not agree with emerging markets and societal mores. They have no business buying the laws and they have even less business violating our homes and children in the name of charity.

The recording industry, protecting our children by raping thier minds since 1990. For those who think this is hyperbole, check out the RIAA’s website.

PaulT (profile) says:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – if the record industry spent the same amount of time, money and effort in researching new markets and proper A&R as it does in lawsuits and hare-brained “education” schemes, their profits would be sky rocketing.

Meanwhile, the videogame industry – a direct competitor to the music industry which does both of these things – is having a great time. GTA4’s breaking records, as is the Wii. That’s why the music industry’s suffering – the kids they’re trying to “educate” are spending their parents’ cash in that direction instead of music. Do you think any self-respecting gamer would rather have 5 CDs instead of GTA4? Not even if music was as hard to pirate as games are.

well... says:

off subject, but if i took one of their pamphlets and at the same time bought a new printer because my old monochrome dot-matrix gave up the ghost, I would most likely get threatened with a lawsuit…
anyway let them spend money who they like to, and lose moeny how they are going to, eventually some labels might get tired of their bullshit and leave.

Overcast says:

The campaign, which is supported by the music industry, will distribute a pocket-sized guide to schools and colleges in 21 countries.

Question….

what if I want to make copies of this ‘guide’ and distribute it? Would that be illegal?

I guess so!

So – since I’m unsure of the origin of the ‘copy’ my kid may receive, I will be sure to get rid of it ASAP!!!

barren waste says:

The Copyright's Prayer

The Copyright’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in Heaven, copyright be thy name;
my writing done for eternal income, on earth as it is in heaven. Give me this day, more unearned bread. And forgive me my infringements, as I sue those who infringe against me.
And lead me not into bankruptcy, but deliver me from piracy for thy are the law, and the power, and money for ever. Amen.

I wonder if failing to copyright this could be considered blasphemy on my part?

Corey says:

Re: The Copyright's Prayer

To throw blanket statement out there like “my writing done for eternal income, on earth as it is in heaven. Give me this day, more unearned bread.” shows complete ignorance. Fisrt of all, most people who make a living off copyrighted works don’t make all that much money. And for your “unearned bread” comment, if you create a product that people want, should you not be compensated? Remember, most people who make money off copyrighted works are not getting paid up front – but some of you in here act like everyone who writes anything is getting paid some massive fee up front then making millions each year off royalties. More commenly, they get paid nothing up front, and make very little each year off of each work. Most song writers or authors needed many, many works out there before they can even write full time and make a modest living.

Mike (profile) says:

Re: Re: The Copyright's Prayer

Fisrt of all, most people who make a living off copyrighted works don’t make all that much money. And for your “unearned bread” comment, if you create a product that people want, should you not be compensated?

Damn Corey. Haven’t we gone over this before…

Nowhere (NOWHERE) do we say that people shouldn’t be compensated. In fact, we point to economic evidence showing why it’s likely they’ll be able to earn MORE without copyright.

Secondly, since even you point out that most people don’t earn much, why are you so vehemently against trying new models?

Corey says:

Re: Re: Re: The Copyright's Prayer

Seriously Mike, you have such a narrow view of everything. I never said I was against trying new models. But you don’t just throw out laws that were created to encourage creation based on a THEORY!

Why you can’t understand that if everybody gave away everything for free, the economics might work out differently then when a small percentage of people do it is beyond me. If your economic model is so great, it’ll eventually win out, but you can’t force these things. If you start changing laws and economic model of many businesses and they all fall on their face because the model doesn’t work, then everybody loses. It’s just got to play itself out.

I know, I know, you’ve got examples showing it will work on a micro level, and your THEORY says it will work on a macro level. Well, to quote Homer Simpson, “In theory, communism works. In theory.”

Anthony says:

Come on! No one understandy why they made this a charity? No one? Really?
Wow, I can’t believe no saw this as the tax dodge that it really is! See, now every dollar that they spend fighting piracy is now a charitable donation and is therefore tax deductable.
Come on, people! EVERY action by corporate America can be traced directly back to the bottom line. I really can’t believe no one saw this earlier.

BizModl (profile) says:

This is an idea that could really take off

The soda companies should form a charitable foundation to warn children of the dangers of not getting enough high-fructose corn sweetner and phosphoric acid.

The fast food industry should form a charitable foundation to warn children of the dangers of low weight caused by inadequate consumption of salt, grease, and starch.

The tobacco industry should form a charitable fundation to warn children of the effects of chronic nicotine deficiency, and the netgative social implications of proving that you’re a dork because you’re too chicken to smoke.

Can’t write more. I’m on my way to my lawyer to patent that business model.

Add Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here

Comment Options:

Make this the or (get credits or sign in to see balance) what's this?

What's this?

Techdirt community members with Techdirt Credits can spotlight a comment as either the "First Word" or "Last Word" on a particular comment thread. Credits can be purchased at the Techdirt Insider Shop »

Follow Techdirt

Techdirt Daily Newsletter

Ctrl-Alt-Speech

A weekly news podcast from
Mike Masnick & Ben Whitelaw

Subscribe now to Ctrl-Alt-Speech »
Techdirt Deals
Techdirt Insider Discord
The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...
Loading...