Illegal piracy has been around for quite some time, but alarm over the issue has increased dramatically with the rise in downloading and sharing capabilities. Students and young people are often targeted as the most likely culprits. It appears, though, that stern letters and a shaken finger from a parent or official aren’t taking care of the situation, and some are taking the matter into their own hands.
One solution attempted by the film industry is that Los Angeles boy scouts are now able to earn a copyright patch by watching public service announcements about copyright violations, touring movie studios to find out how piracy can harm people, and identifying types of copyrighted works and ways they can be stolen.
And the government has their own scheme. Universities will soon have to submit annual reports to the U.S. Education Department on illegal downloading. Punishment for the worst offenders? Decreased government funding.
What ever happened to the days of a good old-fashioned fine?
—Anna Weggel
