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MSN Sponsors Anti-Piracy Film Contest

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

June 16, 2005, 10:46 AM

MSN UK is holding a contest for both youths and adults aimed at teaching the evils of intellectual property theft - an issue Microsoft is constantly battling to protect its software. The short film competition, aptly titled Thought Thieves, requires entrants to make a commercial-length video about how IP theft affects society.

"Think about it: what would a world look like without protection for intellectual property?" Microsoft asks. The winning films will receive £2,000 of film and video equipment vouchers; runners-up will receive a free trip to London where all of the entries will be screened at a special event.

"Looks like the idea is to tell a compelling story in rather quick fashion why stealing copyrighted material is bad. In a nice touch, the competition is not restricted to 18 years and older. Microsoft has a second 14-17 year-old category," noted Jupiter Research senior analyst Joe Wilcox.

Films will be accepted for entry until July 1 on CD or DVD in any format compatible with Windows Media Player. Microsoft encourages originality, but reminds contestants that entries "should not include any third-party materials (such as music in which you do not own the copyright)."

"I have to give the Microsoft UK folks credit for creativity. The competition is an intriguing way of educating would-be filmmakers about intellectual property theft," added Wilcox. "Of course, they would learn as soon as their rocking film started making the BitTorrent circuit."

Add a Comment (12 Comments)

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By zanshina

edited Jun 16, 2005 - 5:19 PM

"aptly titled Thought Thieves" ??

How about inappropriately titled Thought Thieves? Ideas are not copyrightable. Only that which has been set down in a tangible medium can be copyrighed.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Jun 18, 2005 - 12:46 PM

Did you just discover computers yesterday?

Copyrighting intellectual property is nothing new.

Score: 0

By distinguished

posted Jun 17, 2005 - 9:15 PM

How did Pro-Anti-America get into this. Microsoft cares about America as much as it does for an afghan child deformed from their military's depleted uranium weaponry.

Score: 0

By c4p0ne

posted Jun 16, 2005 - 4:15 PM

I bet no one shows up except a few tumbleweeds...

Score: 0

By tipsyboy

edited Jun 16, 2005 - 3:11 PM

We seem to have reached that precipice, of which Bobby Dylan sang some 40 years ago: "We got nothing to live up to, Ma" (original: "I got . . ."). Well, I do have something and I wish I could share it especially with those who think that laws should help to make or keep them rich. --- "Money obliges" - at least to give to the poor, who should be enabled to watch films, too. If only this would come into the minds of those who earn their (loads of) money in the film industry - and if only they would have the will to act accordingly . . . - So let me put the above mentioned Microsoft question in this way: "Think about it: what would a world look like without law protected greed?" --- "It is more blessed to give than to receive". This is true, even for those who don't believe it is.

Score: 0

By Tene

posted Jun 16, 2005 - 4:12 PM

So true. They're now aiming to catch kids younger & brainwash them into adopting capitalist principles ... In effect, they're attempting to brainwash them against equality & charity. That money & wealth are what matters, the needy are the evil, the rich are the righteous.

Not being American myself, but, I'll say so much for American morality.

Score: 0

By athome

edited Jun 17, 2005 - 10:37 AM

morality?! Please, why is it that those that do not live in the US tend to think that America is one big bad person? Give it a rest, because without America, you would be of German or Russian descent. Much of what you have was brought to you by the big "Red-White-Blue." Look at the world today, if not for America, you wouldn't have the many luxuries and freedoms you currently have.

If your country trades with us(and you are), then you are hypocritcal. Whose satellites are you using to watch your TV's and use your cell phones, who put them there, where was the technology developed for those products you take for granted? Please (LOL)(eyes rolling)

Your countries were built and protected by the blood and sweat of the very people you are disrespecting. Get a clue pal! (morality my a**)

Score: 0

By JU5T1CE

edited Jun 17, 2005 - 5:49 PM

-snip-
why is it that those that do not live in the US tend to think that America is one big bad person?
-snip-
Because your culture is built on guns, opression, the fear of the unknown and, of course, your own self-importance.

-snip-
without America, you would be of German or Russian descent.
-snip-
Bwahahhahahahhahah
Was that when you *finally* decided to enter WWII after the Japanese bombed you?

-snip-
Much of what you have was brought to you by the big "Red-White-Blue."
-snip-
True - 24, Alias, Desperate Housewives, Lost, etc

-snip-
Look at the world today, if not for America, you wouldn't have the many luxuries and freedoms you currently have.
-snip-
Like the Patriot act and Guantanamo bay, you love those freedoms, don'tcha?

-snip-
If your country trades with us(and you are), then you are hypocritcal. Whose satellites are you using to watch your TV's and use your cell phones, who put them there, where was the technology developed for those products you take for granted? Please (LOL)(eyes rolling)
-snip-
Mostly built upon Asian borne technologies.
Not American.

-snip-
Your countries were built and protected by the blood and sweat of the very people you are disrespecting. Get a clue pal! (morality my a**)
-snip-
Mortality like war against countries that can't fight back, greed, more war, oil, etc...

When you wake up and smell what you're shovelling, perhaps you'll realise why the rest of the world dislikes you.

Back to the subject.
It seems that MSN are firmly in the pocket of the MPAA/RIAA (probably for money) and have joined the ranks of the FBI, US Police Force and US congress in the "enforcement for hire" stakes. An ISP should be an INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER - not a watchdog or a messenger for another corporation. Big Brother is coming down hard - can you SPELL Hypocrisy?

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted Jun 20, 2005 - 9:31 AM

Yeah... Kinda makes you wish America had never come into existance....I mean, who needs technology like motorized transportation, computers, lights, or even electricity for that matter.

You're welcome. Sure, we've had our problems relating to the rest of the world, our PR has seen better days, but it far from outweighs the benefits we have brought to this world.

EOS. This is WAY the hell OT.