Play It Cyber Safe

First up, of course was checking to see what they've put the site together with. I was half expecting it to be Micro$oft based (it is the Business Software Alliance afterall) but the page sources are all remarkable bare inside being all Code Fusion based. Guess they must be worried about people stealing their Copyright.

The site covers all the usual stuff for parents, children and schools. but my favorite part is in the Kids Section in Tools. Here we have the "Cyber-Ethics Champion Code" and Corresponding certificate, a couple of links to web sites and then there's the biggest crime to humanity (ok well may be just a little bit of an exageration), 2 Anti-Piracy Public Service Announcements.

I'm all for PSA's but these two have 2 a cheesy Boy band (Next Page) & a young girl, both of whom ask you that

"Remember the next time you or someone you know is thinking of copying or downloading something, remember to Play it safe in Cyber Space. Support the creative community so they can continue to enrich all of our lives".

There that's us all told...the song and dancing sucks too (IMHO)

Going back to the CyberEthics Champion Code, these are the "rules" of the code:

• I look for the copyright symbol whenever I add a new program or game to my computer


• I know the copyright owner gets to decide how many times a software program can be copied. That means I can't copy the software that is running on my home computer unless the license says I can


• I will not make unauthorized copies of my games or computers programs for my friends. That is against the law.-How many of them will even want to understand the term "unauthorised" (oh and LEARN TO SPELL YOU HEATHENS!;-) )


• While I may bring my software CDs to my friends' house. I will not let them make copies on their computers unless the license says I can. Copying software is like stealing.err its not like stealing...it IS (if they say you can't) don't confuse them...tell it straigh


• I will not download copyrighted software programs from Internet 'file sharing' networks. It is not okay to share something without the owner's permission


• I will not use software programs that appear to have been copied. Just because someone is selling a software program or a friend gives it to me doesn't mean it is legal.-Yeah because we only get to license it, we can't own it ourselves, so therefore not our property...can't sell it, unless they say so


• I keep my passwords and personal information, like my address and phone number, to myself. I do not share personal information with anyone (except my parents and they already know it!)-that's a little more useful!

Phew! Its quite interesting to see that whilst the tag line is "Play it safe in cyberspace", most of the points relate to not stealing copyright, instead of something probably more in keeping with the idea of children being safe in cyberspace (like not talking to strangers, reporting anything they feel uncomfortable with). But no evidently its more important to make children understand that they have to protect some corporations baseline...This isn't a Cyber-Ethics champion is a copyright champion.
The site says on its front page that

While the Internet can be a unique educational and recreational resource for children, it's important that kids learn how to use this powerful tool safely and responsibly. The goal of this Web site is to empower children, parents and teachers to prevent cyber crime through knowledge of the law, their rights and how to avoid misuse of the Internet.

and all the stuff geared towards the children is copyright related.

Hmm wonder if they're gonna come after me now for breaching copyright?

Links

• Play It Safe In CyberSpace
• Boy Band
• Young Girl