Scaremongering Piracy Comic Scares No One

By FLANNERY CASHILL

File under: lost causes. The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has distributed its first issue of “Justice Case Files” to over 50,000 students and would-be crooks. “The Case of Internet Piracy” follows the misadventures of Megan Robbins—top student, orphan, fan of “Cruel Mantra” and “The Posers” — as she dabbles in the dark world of file sharing. Damn those good-looking college boys and their gentle persuasion!

When her court summons arrives, Megan realizes that she faces two years in jail, a $25,000 fine, and/or the loss of her scholarship to “Arbor University,” all this in the middle of an eminent domain dispute that threatens to leave her and her doting Nana homeless. Nevermind that file sharing doesn’t qualify as copyright infringement. Nevermind that if it did, it would be punishable in federal, not civic courts. The NCSC wants you to know that your copy of “Get Low” will cost you your education and bankrupt your poor, widowed granny. At least, that’s how I lost my shot at the Ivy Leagues.

Read the whole comic here, and say a prayer for the RIAA.