Shortly after the Boy Scouts announced that it was offering a merit badge for respecting copyrights, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has implemented a plan to crack down on movie piracy in the city. Coincidence? One of the badge requirements is that scouts watch a movie and discuss how people behind the scenes would be hurt by piracy. And it's clear that he's done that:
"Video piracy is not a victimless crime,'' he said. ''It kills jobs for New Yorkers, and, like the counterfeit clothes and other items, it also is carried about by and supports criminal gangs. Now, we're going to start shutting them down.''
While the mayor moves one step closer to Eagle Scout, the MPAA looks to earn a demerit badge for grossly overestimating how much piracy costs the film industry each year. $6 billion? Really?!
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