US schoolchildren, already enrolled into classes on the evils of copyright violation next term, are to be invited to name the Business Software Alliance's new mascot.

 

The BSA explains: "Elementary school students heading back to school in September will be invited to name the 'Play It Safe in Cyber Space' mascot, a 'copyright-crusading' ferret who teaches tech-savvy kids about cyber ethics." To limit the scope for mischief, pre-teens will be limited to voting for one of five ferret pre-approved names (doubtless Weasel, Judas or Piggy will not be on the approved list). The poll will last a month.

 

The BSA's 'copyright-crusading' ferret will appear in a four-page comic book out in January with a storyline designed to "educate children about the importance of protecting and respecting copyrighted works such as software, music, games and movies". The comic book and companion teacher’s guide will be mailed across the US to fourth grade teachers who subscribe to Weekly Reader and will be available for free download at the Play It Cyber Safe website. The BSA wants teachers to incorporate this material in their lesson plans.

 

According to the BSA, its cyber ethics curriculum has reached more than 13m kids, parents and teachers since its initial distribution in 2002. Like the Jesuits, the BSA believes in moulding new minds when they are young. Results of a Harris Interactive poll, commissioned by BSA, show that young people aged between eight and 18 "understand the meaning of copyright, yet still illegally download and copy software and other digital materials".

 

Schoolchildren across the world have enjoyed the adventures of Ratty and Mole in The Wind in the Willows for decades. Perhaps the BSA's ferret is the beginning of a whole new literary eco-system. We look forward to meeting a bulldog that fights against consumer rip-offs in the music biz and an eagle that campaigns for a fair deal for artists, though we fear neither will appear in a comic book approved by the BSA. ®

 

Credit: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/12/bs...perhero_ferret/

 

What's next? The Anti-AIDS butterfly? The Safe Sex Squirrel? Oh, here's the rendering...

 

:lol: :lol: .... :P

I don't say this often, but....

 

OMFG!!!!

 

I could rant about this for hours... He's of course dressed in Hip-hop clothes :P .

To limit the scope for mischief, pre-teens will be limited to voting for one of five ferret pre-approved names

That's clever because that was the first thing that came to mind when it said we would be able to choose a name :lol: .

 

Instead of a full rant, I will give my opinion in a group of words... ahem... let me get my angry face on....

 

:angry: mmmk

 

EVIL!!! CORPORATION!!! PROPAGANDA!!! BRAINWASHING!!!

 

:snore:

 

ok, I'm good :D

it's like trying to make cops look cool or something.

it just won't happen

*hails pirates*

bsa what a b'stards :angry: :angry:

That copyright shit is madness.Poor kids.

What's next thing to be copyrighted.Air,water... :angry:

:shifty:...I hate pirates!....but that squirrell is way silly and funny!

Bah,what's next dolls for little kids,that can speak phrases like "bsa is cool",or "riaa is a place to get music".

Bah' date='what's next dolls for little kids,that can speak phrases like "bsa is cool",or "riaa is a place to get music".[/quote']

 

yeah, they are called furbies :lol: :lol:

screw the riaa

 

 

modest mouse anyone

And that weasel looks evil.

:lol: you should have seen the squirrls :lol:

Haha, thanks for posting this! You kept me busy for while, I was bored today! Here's a little comic I did:

 

 

kudos if you know where the kid is from :nice:

^oops... he's a ferret, I may have to change that :idea2:

Japan,am I right?

^oops... he's a ferret' date=' I may have to change that :idea2:[/quote']

 

:lol: :lol: now thats talent :lol: :lol:

obviously

 

i thought that was real hmm

Japan,am I right?

I meant what show :P

Ah,I don't know,plz tell me.

Ask Arnie :lol:

Blah,he won't even answer my questions.

it's just fun to insult that thing :lol:

Japan,am I right?

I meant what show :P

Plesaseeeeeeeeeeeee tell me.

meh cheater.

 

Wen from Cowboy Bebop session "Sympathy for the Devil"

 

Good Rolling Stones song :idea2:

meh cheater.:

C'mon now, it's not like am gonna get a prize. :D

well I was going to give you kudos... :rolleyes: