RIAA releases DVD for students about copying music

From the department of redundant brainwashing department =)
(Via Professor Farber's IP list)

-----Original Message-----
Subject: RIAA releases DVD for students about copying music

The RIAA has produced and released a new DVD directed at educating
students about the consequences of downloading copyrighted materials.
You can download the video or order free copies of the DVD at
http://www.campusdownloading.com/

The RIAA is strongly encouraging schools (especially universities) to
use this video in their programs for incoming students --- some
universities are showing the video as part of a mandatory
indoctrination program before new students can have any network
access.

Of course, RIAA's video presents only one perspective on downloading
(and copying) copyrighted materials... for example, it completely
omits any mention of fair use; and it says that all sharing of
copyrighted music files is stealing... period, no exceptions such as
the Audio Home Recording Act, no Creative Commons, etc. just "it's
always illegal" -- which is simply not true and hardly the type of
presentation one would expect to see at an academic institution..

See http://www.boingboing.net/2006/08/23/steal_this_movie_doc.html for
some comments regarding the video's one-sided bias (and errors and
omissions).

It may be mere coincidence, but...

Weird Al Yankovic has just released for free download a parody of
anti-downloading messages (with a "We are the world" feeling) entitled
"Don't Download This Song".  The music video of this is supposed to
premier tonight.   see http://www.dontdownloadthissong.com/