hydrarchist writes:

You could not make this shit up.

In a press release today, where they gloat at three prosecutions in course against children for warez activity brought to the attention of their 'European Internet Investigation Team', the Business Software Alliance also impart some real pearls of business ideology. And some cautionary words for parents:

Young people are often enthusiastic users, particularly of interactive services like email, chat and instant messaging. These are great tools that have been developed by the software industry so we do not want to limit children’s learning and enjoyment of the Internet. In short, the danger of ‘hanging-out’ in cyberspace is the same as loitering in the wrong part of town. Teenagers can just as easily fall in with the wrong crowd and unintentionally become involved in other serious crimes.

The software industry has been determined to refashion social norms around copyright for quite a while now, and they even managed to have it endorsed as State Doctrine (fear!) during the assembly of the National Information Infrastructure Report between 1993 and 1995. Somewhere out there exist hilarious websites dedicated to teaching children that sharing is wrong. Theft. Criminal.

Then they produce a stooge, one 'Alun Lloyd Jones, a Cabinet Member for Ceredigion County Council in Wales with responsibility for Trading Standards'[wow!] who dropped this piece of passive aggressive crap:

"It is never pleasant to have to take action against young people but ...... Research indicates that some parents think such activities can be harmless and therefore they turn a blind eye. In fact, the consequences are broad; these young people end up with criminal records and their parents incur significant fines. Organisations like BSA are making an effort to educate young people about the risks but this will only succeed with the co-operation of parents."

In other words, parents tie down your kids or we'll fuck up their lives and take money out of your pockets - really subtle, eh?

You can find the whole of the press release here.
The tips for parents stuff though is to priceless to omit here.....

BSA’s cyber tips for parents:

1.In addition to the general Internet safety advice already widely available, parents should also:

2. Check that your children understand that downloading pirate software from the Internet is theft and is against the law

3. Check that they understand that selling pirated copies of software is illegal

4. Consider screening terms such as Warez in your Internet filter

5. Get to know the services and websites that your children use to ensure they avoid visiting sites offering illegal software (which often contain additional unsuitable content)

6. Double-check any online purchases that your children make, a web site may appear sophisticated but consumers can be duped into buying illegal software

7. Include the tips above in your own set of family rules about Internet usage and after discussing them, stick them at the side of the computer.