AP Copyright

This article describes the MPAA's new initiative to stop kids from downloading movies off of the internet. Check it out:

"In the past year, the Motion Picture Association of America has spent approximately $200,000 to launch its program called 'What's The Diff?' to combat digital piracy. Despite the criticism, the trade group plans to continue the program next school year.

The 45-minute class is taught by volunteers from the nonprofit business group Junior Achievement, and reaches about 900,000 children in primarily disadvantaged schools from Boston to Los Angeles. The volunteers, some of whom work in the entertainment industry, talk with students about the liabilities of downloading music and films from the Internet.

. . .

Students learn to repeat the program's motto: 'If you don't pay for it, you've stolen it.'"

So you're saying it's free? Sweet!

I can tell, just by the name, that this program is the lamest thing ever. It reminds me of "Butt Out," the anti-smoking troupe from South Park. You can watch some of their routine here, and listen to some more here, here and here. You'll get the idea.

But wait. Unlike Butt Out, the disadvantaged school kids (many of whom probably don't even have high-speed internet) in the MPAA program have an incentive to cooperate. Imagine if you were to win . . . "a selection of 21 Hollywood classic DVDs, valued at $250"!!!!

I'd stop downloading in a dead man's heartbeat.