MPAA and the Boy Scouts Unveil New "Respect Copyrights" Activity Patch

The Los Angeles area Boy Scouts of America have added a new merit badge, developed in part with the Motion Picture Association of America. This activity patch is another effort to help combat illegal downloading and pirating of movies and music. Partnering with the area Boy Scouts, many of whom come from families that are involved in some aspect of the entertainment industry, is a strategic step for MPAA that aims to change attitudes about intellectual property theft. To earn the badge scouts will have to learn some copyright basics and will also be given the opportunity to visit a studio or to create public service announcements appealing to their peers to not participate in illegal downloading. These scouts may be facing a tall order though, as most of those who partake in pirated movies and music appear to be well aware of the illegal nature of their actions, and consider pirating an acceptable alternative to purchasing movies and music that they may not otherwise be able to afford.