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EFF Launches "Teach Copyright" (free)

By Posted by Alan Wexelblat

And by "free" we mean both "Creative Commons licensed for free use" and "free of Cartel propaganda." Nice combo. Here are some excerpts from the press release they sent:

Last week, the Copyright Alliance Education Foundation -- a nonprofit mouthpiece for the entertainment and software industries -- unveiled plans to spread its protectionist ideas to the nation's schools and libraries through the distribution of a curriculum titled "Think First, Copy Later." "Think First, Copy Later" and other intimidating educational materials were produced by the MPAA, RIAA, Business Software Alliance, and other content holders to scare students into believing that making copies is wrong.

Apparently "Just Say No" is still taken. Bummer.

[C]reators and innovators of tomorrow don't need more intimidation. What they need is solid, accurate information that will help them make smart choices about how to use new technologies. That's why EFF is launching the free, Creative Commons-licensed "Teaching Copyright" curriculum and website to help educators explore copyright issues in their classrooms. These materials encourage students to discover their legal rights and responsibilities — including how to make full and fair use of technology that is revolutionizing learning and the exchange of information.

Back when I wrote about teaching new design/art forms such as mash-ups, a teacher named Melanie McBride replied, outlining some of the problems educators face today in conveying these rapidly changing ideas in a classroom setting, with all of its external constraints. I hope she and other educators will find and make use of these materials.

The debates over copyright and technology -- whether they take place in classrooms, pressrooms or courtrooms -- should be based on facts, not fear.

What a concept.

Full post as published by Copyfight - The Politics of IP on May 28, 2009 (boomark / email).