AfterDawn: News

MPAA releases software for parents

The Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA) has released software for parents that scans a computer for video and audio files that are potentially copyrighted. It then gives parents the option to remove files and programs but the MPAA has assured parents that details on the files that are found will not be passed onto the MPAA. "Our ultimate goal is to help consumers locate the resources and information they need to make appropriate decisions about using and trading illegal files," said Dan Glickman, MPAA chief. "Many parents are concerned about what their children have downloaded and where they've downloaded it from."

However, some testers of the program have already mentioned its flaws. For example, the program picks up the Windows .wav files as potentially copyright infringing files and wants to delete them. Analysts claim that movie piracy cost the Movie Industry $7bn in 2003 alone. The MPAA has promised to release similar tools in the near future to help parents combat P2P software that they say not only allows children to trade copyrighted material, but also leaves their computers open to other threats like viruses. Mr Glickman said the MPAA is embracing new legal movie sites online but said that in order for them to become successful, illegitimate services that rely on stolen material to survive will have to be stamped out first.



Source:
BBC News

Written by: James Delahunty @ 28 Jan 2005 8:06

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• 15 comments

• djscoop

  Well, the only thing I can say is that at least they're getting creative, by trying to get parents to do their dirty work. But here's the problem. First off, most parents are more concerned about their kids downloading porn from the internet, and could care less about movies and music, even though they may not approve of it. Second, most parents are clueless when it comes to computers. It took me five years to get my parents to get the basic concept of windows, and using basic tools like Outlook, Explorer, Word... But I must admit my mom (who's an artist) has made me proud...she took Photoshop and Illustrator classes, and is now making bank as a graphic designer. Just a few years ago she couldn't check her email if her life depended on it. But for the most part, I don't think parents are that involved to be able to run programs like this. If they were, they would know how to go in and delete the files and p2p programs themselves.

  28.1.2005 08:12 #1

• NWD91

  If anyone would like to download this to check it out, here is the link:
  
  http://dtecnet.purestatic.com/ParentFileScan_setup.msi
  
  It's 659 KB.

  28.1.2005 09:41 #2

• MXGzX

  "...but also leaves their computers open to other threats like viruses."
  
  The smart kids would also download Norton AntiVirus.
  
  djscoop...yes you should be proud of her ;)

  28.1.2005 10:33 #3

• Pop_Smith

  lol, most parents don't really care, or just don't get whats going on, as djscoop said. They are more concerned about there kids downloading porn then they are about their kids downloading MP3s or movies.

  28.1.2005 11:04 #4

• Easycola

  Or more likely parents are most conserned bout their kids sharing their home made porn at bt...:)
  
  Btw, just tested the scan tool, it is quite a dummy per say, thou it surely detects audio/movie files if extracted. And spots know p2p programs.

  28.1.2005 22:02 #5

• Pop_Smith

  It will eventually get "better" and delete everything "illegal" on your PC but, they CAN'T legally make you use this file. If they ran it and deleted stuff remotely off your PC. They would have heck to pay (not to mention digging deeper into the "hated by the world" hole they are in).
  
  Peace, happy file sharing :)
  
  Pop Smith

  28.1.2005 22:29 #6

• A_Klingon

  This latest initiative from the MPAA is so warped and out-of-touch with reality, it's downright hilarious.
  
  I would have to have a gun pointed to my head before I would ever install any MPAA-developed or sanctioned software. This program amounts to a virus all in itself.
  
  It never ceases to amaze me the depths to which the MPAA will sink in order to achieve its means. (Ditto the RIAA, which means we're dealing with two of the most corrupt organizations on earth, but then, you knew that anyway, didn't you)? You hit the nail right on the head, djscoop - they are now attempting to get others to do their dirty work.
  
  Equally disturbing is the MPAA's assumption that we are all (parents and non-parents alike) complete idiots. It would take an act of God for the vast majority of Net surfers to touch this "program" with a 20-foot pole. To the extent that they can, the MPAA is attempting to take full advantage of those inexperienced few who, through no fault of their own, know-not the implications (deleted files, etc) of what they are installing.
  
  If this pathetic, lame-assed attempt on the part of the MPAA is any indication, they are living in a fantasy world, and Dan Glickman can take his bull----, propagandist rhetoric (above) and stick it where the sun don't shine. He is the kind of liar that puts decent, hard-working used-car salesmen to shame.
  
  But I do appreciate A/D bringing this little news tidbit to me. I needed a little 'boost' this morning!

  29.1.2005 05:14 #7

• venomX05

  OMG!!! What in the world is this crap?! The MPAA is a joke. If they think for one second that is going to prevent people from download, there smoking some seious crack. When I looked at this I almost hit the floor laughing. This is such a shameless attempt to try and police the internet in regards to downloading music and movies. Here is what I say...go ahead and try....your going to fail, miserably.
  
  Oh yeah, and good luck, MPAA! Another moronic attempt.

  29.1.2005 06:54 #8

• Toiletman

  LOL this is pretty amusing. My parents actually download songs and software themselves, so I'm sure they won't be using this... =D

  29.1.2005 08:45 #9

• cmmnsense

  The day these companies start remotely installing softwore, like adware/spyware, on people's computers is the day 7mm's start busting executive skulls at 500 yards. When a gov't agency can play around with your personal and downloaded files is when some phyco will crack. This is pretty stupid, and given it won't work, is why these companies will keep raising the bar on personal privacy.

  29.1.2005 08:56 #10

• the_scum1

  LOL I know a lot of parents who download music for their kids. Not that I would ever do that but I'm sure it happens.

  30.1.2005 10:08 #11

• rondack

  I wouldn't trust any piece of software from the MPAA or RIAA as far as I can pick up one of their bloated, greedy, fatass executives and throw them!!!

  1.2.2005 14:15 #12

• banjobill

  The Orcs of Hollywood have to be among the most evil creatures on Middle Earth. If you look at the vile, pornographic, violent, and obscene trash that they produce in their film and audio factories, how can you be fooled by their self-righteous and hypocritical stand against P2P file sharing? These Orcs claim to care only about making money when in fact, they are mainly concerned about the POWER that they have through their Media Monopoly. With money, they can BUY POWER, but with POWER they can TAKE MONEY. This is what they are really striving for, POWER OVER THE MINDS OF OUR YOUTHS AND THE BANK ACCOUNTS OF OUR PARENTS.
  
  The software that these evil creatures have created will be presented with their grins of friendship (at first) but what they have evolved to be a file-killing software quickly becomes and trojan horse for Orc schemes.

  4.2.2005 05:15 #13

• DaOsT

  hope thers non out there daft enough to polute there pc with such filth as what has been brought out here
  

  ::LivE ForeveR OR DiE TryiN!!::....::DonT FinD US WE WilL FinD YoU::..
  ChecK OuT ThE PenguiN GamE AnD PosT YouR HighesT DistancE ON ThE ForuM
  http://www.gazholland.co.uk

  4.2.2005 05:45 #14

• yugioh2me

  Yikes!
  
  Cant let my parents install this on my computer!

  4.2.2005 15:14 #15