I just heard this on the radio and it's definitely worth listening to, but the podcast will only be available on Sunday evening.
The story follows a software patent that was bought by Intellectual Ventures (Nathan Myhrvold's patent troll company) and subsequently used to sue a number of tech companies. Most of the companies settled, but two of the companies fought back and... I don't want to spoil the ending for you.
The first part of the story is a repeat of a segment that originally aired in 2011, but left a lot of questions unanswered. The second half ties up the loose ends. The current episode is called "Part Two", but actually includes both parts.
On another note, it's nice to see Nathan Myhrvold getting called out as the patent troll he so clearly is, despite the bogus persona of a modern renaissance man he so carefully cultivates.
Well, he's actually both. I've been a critic of Myhrvold for almost as long as Intellectual Vultures... ahem, Ventures, has existed and I am very against software patents but there is no denying he is very smart, very talented and quite adept as a practitioner of quite a few activities. Him being a patent troll, as distasteful as I find that, doesn't negate the other stuff.
This issue needs more mainstream coverage like this. Get the word out!
I never really bought Intellectual Ventures argument that they aren't a patent troll, but after hearing about the shell company they set up and the 90% cut IV gets of any settlements, it's shameful.
The story follows a software patent that was bought by Intellectual Ventures (Nathan Myhrvold's patent troll company) and subsequently used to sue a number of tech companies. Most of the companies settled, but two of the companies fought back and... I don't want to spoil the ending for you.
The first part of the story is a repeat of a segment that originally aired in 2011, but left a lot of questions unanswered. The second half ties up the loose ends. The current episode is called "Part Two", but actually includes both parts.