Getting Them Young...

It seems the morons who'd like to teach primary school pupils about sensible alcohol consumption will have to get in line behind big business, who want to teach them about how awful illegal downloading is first:

Lessons teaching pupils about copyright law are already being piloted in six schools and could be rolled out across the country.

Where are they going to find time to do all this? And is this why parents send their children to school?

Luckily, some people have spotted this:

Critics suggest the initiative is designed to protect commercial interests rather than provide a valuable educational experience.

Oh, cheers 'critics'. It's not like we'd ever work that one out for ourselves, is it?

So, who's running this scheme?

The anti-piracy scheme is run by music industry consultant Ruth Katz, who also works for record giant EMI.

She says she is funding the school scheme independently, but it is supported by music industry organisations, including the EMI Music Sound Foundation – a charity set up by the label to improve music education.

Big business is setting up their own fakecharities now? Groovy!

Let's hear from those critics again, shall we?

Critics have questioned whether young primary schoolchildren would even know how to download music without assistance.

Never had trouble programming the video, or setting up a new channel on Sky+ then, 'critics'?

So how does Ms Katz advertise her services to schools?

Ms Katz has worked extensively for EMI on measures to prevent illegal downloads.

She wrote on a website profile: ‘I have initiated an education programme for primary schoolchildren to teach them about copyright and anti-piracy.

‘The project has tremendous support from music industry associations, notably the IFPI [International Federation of the Phonographic Industry] and UK Music [the organisation that supports artists’ interests], the EMI Music Sound Foundation and the Department for Children, Schools and Families along with other music-related industries.’

She said she hoped to extend the project across the country with Government support by September 2010.

With 'Government support', eh?

I wonder where she would have got the impression that the government would be amenable to that sort of thing?

And it seems she believes she has something to hide:

After The Mail on Sunday contacted her about the project she changed her profile, removing all mention of the project’s anti-piracy aim and groups supporting it.

It then read: ‘I have initiated an education programme for primary schoolchildren to teach them about the broader aspects of creativity and making music.’

Heh!

What does Big Gov have to say?

The DCSF said: ‘Heads are free to choose what resources and learning materials they use in schools – they do need to use their discretion as to who they invite in and to make sure it is appropriate.’

Or, to translate: 'Nuffin' to do wiv us, we wasn't involved...'.