ESA Seeks Audience in Elementary Schools for Anti-Piracy Ed

Representatives from the Entertainment Software Association, the video game industry’s trade group, and the Canadian Recording Industry Association outlined strategies for reaching people with anti-piracy education at much younger ages  at a summit hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce here.

“In the 15- to 24-year-old (range), reaching that demographic with morality-based messages is an impossible proposition…which is why we have really focused our efforts on elementary school children,” said Ric Hirsch, the ESA’s senior vice president of intellectual property enforcement. “At those ages, children are open to receiving messages, guidelines, rules of the road, if you will, with respect to intellectual property.”

The ESA has already developed a copyright education curriculum for Elementary school students. The program includes include charts, teachers guides, lesson plans and a wall poster imploring students to “Join the © Team,” that are now available online. The organization has been trying to convince teachers to incorporate their doctrine into daily curriculum since 2005. Hirsch hasn’t commented on the success of its efforts.

Although I don’t support IP theft, I believe that most teachers are overburdened with the responsibility of educating and in many cases parenting children in todays institutions.  Morals ideally should be the responsibility of the parents not the schools or Government Lobbyists.

via CNet News