Turns Out Verizon Wireless' Open Pledge Has Meant Almost Nothing

Is Someone Playing A Joke? Why Would Penguin Force Colbert To Take Down Lessig's Remix?

from the something's-not-right dept

Fri, Jan 9th 2009 1:57pm — Mike Masnick

Last night, Larry Lessig went on The Colbert Report to talk up his latest book Remix. While I think Remix is an important book and Lessig is a brilliant commentator on these issues, I was a little disappointed by the performance, but I'm willing to chalk it up to the fact that appearing opposite Colbert is incredibly difficult (almost impossible), and Colbert is the best at throwing interviewees off their game.

Of course, pretty much everything Colbert does is satire, and included in the video was the joking suggestion that no one take the video and remix it. Colbert, of course, has been one of the champions of getting folks to remix videos for him. So, obviously, the idea was to get more folks to remix.

However, just a little while ago, some folks started noticing a message at the top of Colbertnation.com saying:

Lawrence Lessig's REMIX has been removed at the request of Penguin Publishers.

At this point, it's unclear what exactly has been removed. The video of the interview is still online, so that's not what's been removed. Some are wondering if Colbert originally posted a downloadable copy of the book itself that has been removed. Many folks have noticed that Remix is not available for download, despite promises that it would be. Apparently, the free version of the book has been delayed until May, which is pretty lame, itself. And, then, of course, there's the possibility that the "removal" notice itself is just a Colbert joke -- though, it almost seems too subtle for Colbert's style of humor. If anyone has more info on what happened here, it would be great to know. Update: Adam Green, who works with Lessig and was at the taping stopped by to say, indeed, that it was a joke. If so, it's a bit odd, since they never even bothered to make clear what it was that was taken down.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: copyright, larry lessig, remix, stephen colbert
Companies: penguin publishing

25 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Arturo, 9 Jan 2009 @ 2:23pm

I thought the interview was brilliant and hilarious! I just got done watching it and it made me get on Google News and type Larry's name which is how I got here. I got the impression that Larry missed who Colbert was, but this was OK because it got him really emotional and I thought it was a pretty cool way to get his points across. He is a very smart guy. Colbert was so over the top that I suspect, more than not, that the Penguin message is in fact a joke. Otherwise it does not really make much sense...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Stephen Downes (profile), 9 Jan 2009 @ 2:26pm

Hulu
Please do not use Hulu, not even if they pay you. Hulu just throws up a big error screen outside the U.S. - where 95 percent of people live.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
hulu2, 9 Jan 2009 @ 2:49pm

Huh?
95% of the people I know live in the US. ;)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
sunil, 9 Jan 2009 @ 2:55pm

Remix interview remixed
I just found a remix of it a la Stephen's request...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOiA5WKvIXQ
[ link to this | view in thread ]
A. Lloyd Flanagan, 9 Jan 2009 @ 2:59pm

Obvious
Why Would Penguin Force Colbert To Take Down Lessig's Remix?

Probably as part of another plot to "bring the City of Gotham to its knees". I admit I don't see the connection, but I'm not a deformed criminal mastermind with Joker envy. Thank God.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
A. L. Flanagan, 9 Jan 2009 @ 3:07pm

Watched the video
I've got to say I wasn't disappointed. I thought it went pretty well. Do remember Colbert's not a real journalist, for which the profession is profoundly grateful I'm sure.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 9 Jan 2009 @ 3:31pm

Re: Hulu
Childish Point: Well TechDirt is based in the US!
Real Point: I don't think the show is available elsewhere online legally.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Moderation, 9 Jan 2009 @ 3:36pm

Steven and Jon are better "journalists" than most in the mainstream media today. They present information in such a way that the people get a little informed and want to find out more.

Not to say that everything they say is pure "fact" or non biased... cuz that's completely untrue... but they lie about trying to be either.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Jarred, 9 Jan 2009 @ 3:38pm

Re:
Oh Lessig knows exactly who Colbert is... it's just impossible to actually get your point across when he "interviews" you. That's what's so brilliant about the show, though. If you go on Colbert, you are nothing but fodder. Basically, Lessig was smart enough to know that Colbert was being satirical and false, and to use him as a straw opponent. That's how Colbert works... he exaggerates ignorance and stubbornness to contrast to his guest... and he shows us that oftentimes, that facade of exaggerated ignorance and stubbornness reflects what we're like in real life.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Coises, 9 Jan 2009 @ 3:56pm

Second the motion on Hulu
"We're sorry, currently our video library can only be streamed within the United States. For more information on Hulu's international availability, click here."
I don't know if you care, or if you have any option; but if you do, please avoid using Hulu and other thoroughly aggravating video hosts who sniff IPs and frustrate those of us who are not physically located within the boundaries of what is apparently the only important country on the Earth.
Yes, I know they probably have some legal reasons for this. They need to lose traffic � not just viewers, but embedders � to sites that somehow manage to function without IP-sniffing so they will have motivation to find a solution that doesn't apply the same tired, old "border-line-in-the-sand" practices to the Internet that limit us all in physical space.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
CrushU, 9 Jan 2009 @ 5:03pm

Re: Second the motion on Hulu
You're quite welcome to make your own site where you can stream all broadcasts equally. And then get thrown in jail.

Hulu does what they do in order to avoid legal reprecussion in lawsuit-happy USA. It is not their fault, they are trying to expand to other countries. The networks that allow Hulu to broadcast have stipulations on who Hulu can stream to. To my knowledge, Hulu is trying to be able to stream to other countries, so cut them some slack.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Mathew, 9 Jan 2009 @ 6:27pm

I'm in Australia and I can view full episodes on thedailyshow.com without trouble.. until they update their GeoIP database I guess :(
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 9 Jan 2009 @ 10:20pm

Re: Re: Second the motion on Hulu
You're quite welcome to make your own site where you can stream all broadcasts equally. And then get thrown in jail.
He's also quite free to encourage people to avoid using Hulu if he wants to. And no, you don't get thrown in jail for that (in the US).
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Devil's Advocate, 9 Jan 2009 @ 11:30pm

Hulu Complainers
You can view it in Canada here (maybe other countries can access it here): Comedy Central

Outside of North America, I don't see the implicit relevance of the show. The rush to put it on videos outside of North America doesn't exist because of this lack of relevance. It's not like folks are going ape in North America about not being able to catch "The Late Edition" (UK's answer to The Daily Show). It's simply not relevant despite being entertaining.

It's not a matter of the US being important, it's a matter of relevance.

And you can always VPN around these IP blocks.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Devil's Advocate, 9 Jan 2009 @ 11:31pm

Re: Hulu Complainers
Sorry, that's Comedy Network in Canada, not Comedy Central. :)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
qez, 10 Jan 2009 @ 2:26am

Re: Hulu Complainers
The rush to put it on videos outside of North America doesn't exist because of this lack of relevance.

You must be working for Hollywood because you don't seem to get it.

And you can always VPN around these IP blocks.

And go through all the hassle? Nah, I rather wait for the torrent. And when the torrent is available the episode will be automatically downloaded.

This is a nice example why there's piracy.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Duane, 10 Jan 2009 @ 11:34am

Not just the USA
The BBC also has these kinds of policies in effect. You pretty much can't view any kind of video on their site from the US. I suspect this is because the British taxpayers fund their operations, but it is still damned inconvenient. of course, like the commenter above, I would not be interested in their online presence if their shows were not available through other means.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Addictv, 10 Jan 2009 @ 12:40pm

Re: Remix interview remixed
That's not a remix, that's distortion.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Adam Green, 10 Jan 2009 @ 2:47pm

Confirmation -- it was a joke
Hi, this is Adam Green with Lawrence Lessig's Change Congress.

I was with Lessig at the Colbert Report taping. Before the show, they informed us this joke was forthcoming. So, I'm breaking it on TechDirt first -- the takedown of Remix is very-officially a joke.

After the show, Lessig taped a video in the green room that "exposed" something in Colbert's background. Is it also a joke? Hmmm...you be the judge. http://change-congress.org/video?partner=techdirt
[ link to this | view in thread ]
James Stevens, 10 Jan 2009 @ 7:10pm

Hulu loses
Since Hulu can't provide the show in other countries, ppl just torrent it.. it's that simple, they don't try to compete with piracy.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
MC Jack in the Box, 11 Jan 2009 @ 12:55pm

Lessig vs. Colbert remixed
http://ccmixter.org/files/mcjackinthebox/18712
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 11 Jan 2009 @ 11:00pm

Lessig vs. Colbert
This is very funny stuff.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 12 Jan 2009 @ 12:01am

Back on Youtube..?
It appears Larry (or someone posing as Larry) has re-posted the interview on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzsBv2HDaRo

Also, dance beat ahoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvvhDngERXo
http://essenzamusic.com/ColbertRemix.mp3
[ link to this | view in thread ]
HULU, 14 Jan 2009 @ 12:33pm

Re: Re: Hulu
it is available legally
and from ComedyCentrals site and ColbertNations site

also

Huffington Post seems to find CC streams with no problem

and the Internet is a global community so your childish point is also a stupid
point.

I am a US citizen who spends 95% of my time abroad and I would like to keep informed about what is going on in my homeland.

the Hulu point is a good one and it is a problem that I am seeing more and
more, as it catches on in the states it is further alienating those not in the states.

down with Hulu feeds
long live Hulu (just not for blog posts and feeds. and hopefully the will get there international shit in line soon)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
wow your stupid too, 14 Jan 2009 @ 12:37pm

Re: Re: Second the motion on Hulu
what is with you people?
do you work for Hulu?

there are plenty of legal feeds.
Hulu is just easy, and has a nice interface.
(someone suggested you may get some kickbacks for using it in your blogs
but I don't know if that is true or not)

sites that care to have a global audience need to stop using HULU....
it is that simple

if on the other hand you are so closed minded that you don't care about the rest of the world and want to keep it a USA boys club then by all means keep using Hulu feeds.
[ link to this | view in thread ]