As a former Boy Scout myself, I find this pretty appalling.

Boy Scouts in the Los Angeles area will now be able to earn an activity patch for learning about the evils of downloading pirated movies and music. The patch shows a film reel, a music CD and the international copyright symbol, a "C" enclosed in a circle. The movie industry has developed the curriculum.

I'd like to see a Creative Commons activity patch, which you earn by proving you understand the workings of copyright and of public domain, and you understand the different types of licensing.

If I've said it once I've said it one thousand times, and I'll keep repeating it until I'm blue in the face. I don't think the MPAA and RIAA "wars on piracy" are primarily about keeping you from downloading their copyrighted materials. I think they are about trying to prevent you from downloading anything, whether offered legitimately or not. Right now they control the distribution of almost all entertainment materials. In a world where you can download Rocketboom or Star Wars Revelations for free, their value diminishes. When the dominant player with all the money tries to argue from the high moral ground, check your wallet and count your rings because they are trying to pick your pocket.