Last week, RIAA President Cary Sherman, when he wasn't suggesting that AV software should scan for pirated material, hinted that there'd be less piracy if users simply knew what they were doing was illegal. Sherman opined that AT&T's upcoming piracy filters would effectively work as moral signposts, giving users a slight slap on the wrist should they get into downloading copyright materials.

Microsoft seems to be reading from the same guide, and today issued the results of a survey that claims teens are less likely to download illegally when they know the laws. According to the survey, about half of teens surveyed aren't familiar with laws protecting copyrighted materials. About 11% fully grasped copyright law (or at least Microsoft's interpretation of it). Microsoft's solution is to head to the classrooms to "educate" the children:Unlike the MPAA's "What's The Diff?" campaign and the BSA's now-retired copyright crusading ferret, hopefully Microsoft will take the time to educate kids on their fair use rights as well. We're wondering if anyone has quizzed Microsoft themselves on copyright laws lately and how successful they'd be at getting it right.

While it's believable that kids don't know copyright law (13% can find Iraq or Iran on a map) does knowledge of piracy laws really impact piracy? Would AT&T's piracy filters really impact piracy if all they did was alert you that you're breaking the law? Do corporations belong in the classroom?