Yes, it’s become something of a cliche to post John Oliver’s weekly videos, but he keeps doing ones that feel like they’re ripped straight from Techdirt’s headlines that we just can’t help ourselves (also, if the team over there working for Oliver wants some help — let us know!). This time, he took on patent trolling and the need for patent reform in the US:
To be honest, if you regularly read our patent coverage there’s very little in there that you won’t already know — though our coverage doesn’t (generally) involve a dorky dancing guy who will draw you a cat, though if we get enough requests, perhaps we could add that to one of the Tims’ job responsibilities. Still, it’s nice to see more mainstream attention on patent trolls and the need for patent reform. The latest move for patent reform really kicked off in earnest when the issue got attention via a wonderful episode of This American Life. Perhaps John Oliver can help keep the momentum going so we can at least get something through Congress this year. It won’t be enough, but it will help.
Without FaceBook, the world would not have as much access to the internet! Can we please stop saying that our providing just Facebook content in certain countries is somehow bad for the internet?
– Mark Z.
Anonymous Anonymous Cowardsays:
Re: Re: Re: Any other links to the video?
Sure. Whatever. But facebook still resolves to 0.0.0.0 in my HOSTS files.
While it’s nice he covered the topic in his usual ‘funny, but seriously, this is a problem’ method, and nice that he mentioned how much copyright trolls seem to love filing in east texas, I’m disappointed that they missed out on the funniest part of that, where patent trolls will rent ‘office space’ in the area, sometimes sharing the exact same address with many other trolls, in order to give themselves standing to file the case in Texas.
Seriously, dozens of patent trolls crammed into a room the size of a closet furiously waving extortion letters? That joke practically writes itself, pity they missed it.
John Oliver’s patented system for “covering the topic in his usual ‘funny, but seriously, this is a problem’ method” is pending, but pre-patent licenses are already available.
Just in case any Last Week Tonight researchers are looking for their next topic of conversation, I would like to categorically state that Mike Masnick is not a dingo.
Yes, I know I'm commenting anonymouslysays:
Job Responsibilities
perhaps we could add that to one of the Tims’ job responsibilities If I recall correctly, he was the one that is particularly good at controlling greedy big cats. It would suit him.
Anonymous Anonymous Cowardsays:
Re: Job Responsibilities
Erm, he said “one of the Tims’. That’s plural. Which one were you talking about?
Although, I could see it going either way.
Anonymous Cowardsays:
Re: Re: Job Responsibilities
He is referring to either Dark Helmet or Capitalist Lion Tamer, so take a guess.
Anonymous Cowardsays:
As soon as he announced the main topic of the week, I thought, you’ve got to be kidding me. Another one? Time to just fess up and admit that John Oliver is on the Techdirt staff.
As soon as I saw him announce the week’s main topic, I thought This is just getting ridiculous. Time to fess up and admit that John Oliver is on the Techdirt staff.
(You know, I’ve never seen Masnick and Oliver at the same time. Has anyone???)
Please have less tim…don’t encourage him to do more.
Anonymous Cowardsays:
Isn't it wierd?
A “comedy” show saying what is a real problem? If I remember correctly the last time jesters wereing able to speak the truth was in the dark ages.
Does the USA really want to be known to be a dark age nation? You got so far with gay marriage and legalizing weed just to fall back to that? C’mon, you can do better! Let news be real news and not just some bought point of view.
It just feels wierd to me that you hear that kind of story from a comedian.
It’s nothing new at all. Comedians have always been speaking hard truths that nobody else could speak.
Anonymous Cowardsays:
Re: Re: Isn't it wierd?
Sure they did but in a country or world of freedom (depending of your point of view of US influence cough 100+ countries with US military stations cough) Shouldn’t non comedian news be able to speak “hard truths”? Or at least feel the need to report (that is their job after all) the truth? But even in the “mother” land they don’t. How can any slave… sorry… trade partner with a USA military presence in it, be able to tell the truth?
If they don’t/can’t do it then in my opinion they are nothing but a wheel in the “whatever you’d like to call it” gov.
“Shouldn’t non comedian news be able to speak “hard truths”?”
They should, and actual journalists do. The deeper issue is why aren’t there very many actual journalists in the US? And, as near as I can tell, there are zero journalists in TV news.
Comments on “Once Again, John Oliver Covers A Techdirt Topic: This Time, It's Patent Trolls”
Any other links to the video?
Typically, it is blocked in the UK!
Re: Any other links to the video?
Its viewable from the UK on his facebook (scroll down a bit for the video, couldn’t find a direct link):
https://www.facebook.com/LastWeekTonight?fref=nf
Re: Re: Any other links to the video?
See?!
Without FaceBook, the world would not have as much access to the internet! Can we please stop saying that our providing just Facebook content in certain countries is somehow bad for the internet?
– Mark Z.
Re: Re: Re: Any other links to the video?
Sure. Whatever. But facebook still resolves to 0.0.0.0 in my HOSTS files.
Re: Re: Re:2 Any other links to the video?
You self-censored? Bold. That’s like flushing your faggots down the loo.
Wait…we were still talking in UK English, right?
Whatever, I’ve gotta go get me mum a caravan.
Re: Re: Re:3 Any other links to the video?
No such thing as UK English. Perhaps you meant British English?
Re: Re: Re:4
No, he was just saying that as a pretext for using homophobic language.
Missing the best part
While it’s nice he covered the topic in his usual ‘funny, but seriously, this is a problem’ method, and nice that he mentioned how much copyright trolls seem to love filing in east texas, I’m disappointed that they missed out on the funniest part of that, where patent trolls will rent ‘office space’ in the area, sometimes sharing the exact same address with many other trolls, in order to give themselves standing to file the case in Texas.
Seriously, dozens of patent trolls crammed into a room the size of a closet furiously waving extortion letters? That joke practically writes itself, pity they missed it.
Re: Missing the best part
John Oliver’s patented system for “covering the topic in his usual ‘funny, but seriously, this is a problem’ method” is pending, but pre-patent licenses are already available.
Video just doesn't play.
Just in case any Last Week Tonight researchers are looking for their next topic of conversation, I would like to categorically state that Mike Masnick is not a dingo.
Job Responsibilities
perhaps we could add that to one of the Tims’ job responsibilities
If I recall correctly, he was the one that is particularly good at controlling greedy big cats. It would suit him.
Re: Job Responsibilities
Erm, he said “one of the Tims’. That’s plural. Which one were you talking about?
Although, I could see it going either way.
Re: Re: Job Responsibilities
He is referring to either Dark Helmet or Capitalist Lion Tamer, so take a guess.
As soon as he announced the main topic of the week, I thought, you’ve got to be kidding me. Another one? Time to just fess up and admit that John Oliver is on the Techdirt staff.
Just admit it already
As soon as I saw him announce the week’s main topic, I thought This is just getting ridiculous. Time to fess up and admit that John Oliver is on the Techdirt staff.
(You know, I’ve never seen Masnick and Oliver at the same time. Has anyone???)
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Please have less tim…don’t encourage him to do more.
Isn't it wierd?
A “comedy” show saying what is a real problem? If I remember correctly the last time jesters wereing able to speak the truth was in the dark ages.
Does the USA really want to be known to be a dark age nation? You got so far with gay marriage and legalizing weed just to fall back to that? C’mon, you can do better! Let news be real news and not just some bought point of view.
It just feels wierd to me that you hear that kind of story from a comedian.
Re: Isn't it wierd?
It’s nothing new at all. Comedians have always been speaking hard truths that nobody else could speak.
Re: Re: Isn't it wierd?
Sure they did but in a country or world of freedom (depending of your point of view of US influence cough 100+ countries with US military stations cough) Shouldn’t non comedian news be able to speak “hard truths”? Or at least feel the need to report (that is their job after all) the truth? But even in the “mother” land they don’t. How can any slave… sorry… trade partner with a USA military presence in it, be able to tell the truth?
If they don’t/can’t do it then in my opinion they are nothing but a wheel in the “whatever you’d like to call it” gov.
Re: Re: Re: Isn't it wierd?
“Shouldn’t non comedian news be able to speak “hard truths”?”
They should, and actual journalists do. The deeper issue is why aren’t there very many actual journalists in the US? And, as near as I can tell, there are zero journalists in TV news.
Re: Re: Re: Isn't it wierd?
Oh, and to show how long what you observe has been the case, here’s a famous quote from Alexis de Tocqueville in 1835:
The HBO show silicon valley also is touching the patent troll topic. It seems to be the major plot line for season 2.
Video Response to John Oliver's Rant Against Patent Trolls
Video Response to John Oliver’s Rant Against Patent Trolls. Watch video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir9e0rK9q4A.