http://torrentfreak.com/mpaa-and-riaa-teach-copyright-in-elementary-schools-now-with-fair-use-140906/is it just me or should schools try and get reading, writing and arithmatic right before they start jamming arguable values into the curriculum.
The group, which has the MPAA and RIAA as key members, had just started piloting a kindergarten through sixth grade curriculum on copyright in California schools.
The curriculum was drafted in collaboration with the California School Libraries Association and iKeepSafe, who aim to teach kids the basics of copyright. The lesson materials were rather one-sided, however, often ignoring fair use and the free-to-share copyright licences Creative Commons provides.
These concerns were later picked up by the mainstream press, creating a massive backlash. Responding to the critique the CCI and other partners were quick to state that it was just a pilot and that the final materials would probably be more balanced.
Glen Warren, vice president of the California School Library Association, acknowledged the problems and suggested that the early drafts were coming straight from the content industry.
“We’re moving along trying to get things a little closer to sanity. That tone and language, that came from that side of the fence, so to speak,” Warren commented.
This week, TorrentFreak spotted the final version of the curriculum and it’s clear that the public outcry for more nuance has paid off.
