The Continuing Adventures Of Copyright Man... Episode 1

from the take-this-spielberg dept

Wed, Mar 30th 2011 11:18am — Timothy Geigner

On Friday, Mike was nice enough to share his Xtranormal video with us, which went through the usual arguments and rebuttals surrounding the all-encompassing evil that is copyright infringement. It was informative, entertaining, and even provided us with some of the best original soundtrack music this side of a John Williams composition. Sadly, one commenter was not impressed:

"good first effort. i think your missing an important point, though. what makes these things go viral is that they are funny. yours was just kind of dry." -- sumquy

I agree, non-profiled commenter whose naming convention has become something of an obsessive mystery to me (I mean, is it supposed to sound like "some guy"? Is it a math joke? A reference to Karate Kid evil dojo Cobra Kai?). That's why I'm pleased to announce the latest (somewhat NSFW) blockbuster (or should I say Netflix?) from Dark Helmet Studios: The Uselessness Of Copyright(Man).

Gone are the intelligent arguments, subtle distinctions, and overall professionalism. I replaced them all with a metro-erotic costume and a cod piece!

In any case, while I thought mine was mildly funny, I'm willing to bet the Techdirt community can do even better. I've shown you mine (well, covered by a cod piece at least), so feel free to show me yours.

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, copyright man

45 Comments

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

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:26am

Mildly fun is like saying Waterworld was an amazing success. Congrats on lowering the bar once again. Techdirt continues to scrape along the bottom of the barrel.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Greevar (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:29am
  
  Re:
  Yeah, but it's turds like you that keep us afloat!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Hiiragi Kagami (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:31am
  
  Re:
  Why is it when you make a comment like this, I can't help but think you're what they're scraping from the bottom of the barrel?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - lego (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 1:39pm
    
    Re: Re:
    I Do Not FUCKING KNOW
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Dark Helmet (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:31am
  
  Re:
  "Mildly fun is like saying Waterworld was an amazing success. Congrats on lowering the bar once again. Techdirt continues to scrape along the bottom of the barrel."
  
  The good news is thanks to copyright you can't share how awful I am at this with anyone else.
  
  GASP! Copyright Man IS a hero!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Kevin (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 12:14pm
    
    Re: Re:
    well said
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2011 @ 1:09pm
    
    Re: Re:
    The real problem is that if this really represented even a part of your feelings on the topic, then you are no longer really in a position to discuss much. You have crossed past reasonable consideration, and moved off to being a narrow minded dick. You and Marcus must get along well.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Dark Helmet (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 1:25pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      "The real problem is that if this really represented even a part of your feelings on the topic, then you are no longer really in a position to discuss much. You have crossed past reasonable consideration, and moved off to being a narrow minded dick."
      
      ....let's play a game called who can make the most ironic statement. Too late. You win....
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2011 @ 1:52pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Even after the content was over, your late entry took the cake.
        
        What is sad is that you really believe yourself.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Marcus Carab (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 3:40pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Woah, BURN! Um, I think. Actually I have no idea what this comment means.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        vivaelamor (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 5:23pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        "Actually I have no idea what this comment means."
        
        It means Dark Helmet riled them up so much that they can't type straight.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2011 @ 1:25pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      TAM, your irony deserves an award.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Marcus Carab (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 1:55pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      You and Marcus must get along well
      
      Think of it as an uneasy alliance: sometimes us thinking folk must band together in the face of inscrutable idiocy
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Markus Hopkins (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:37am
  
  Re:
  Hey now, I loved Waterworld. You leave my fishmen and gas (how do they still have gas?!?!) pirates alone! I also enjoyed this video. I don't think there's any inference to draw from that, right? No, of course not, couldn't be.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Greevar (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 12:04pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Offshore oil rig built to stay above sea level as it changes?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Marcus Carab (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:49am
  
  Re:
  So which is it? Did they lower the bar, or are they scraping the bottom of the barrel?
  
  Christ, even your metaphors are self-contradictory...
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2011 @ 12:12pm
    
    Re: Re:
    To be fair, it's all they have left, really.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Marcus Carab (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 4:01pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      While I do appreciate the sentiment, you've been saying this constantly for weeks (months?) now, and I'm starting to think it's all you have left, really.
      
      It's a good'un, to be sure - but come on dude, you must have some new material by now!
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2011 @ 6:34pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        But the Pirate Coalition is paying me $0.003 per recycled post. New material only garners $0.002. Don't blame me, blame the system ,man!
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Marcus Carab (profile), 31 Mar 2011 @ 6:42am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Hahaha...
        okay, all is forgiven :)
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Nom du Clavier (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:47pm
    
    Re: Re:
    I think the anon in question was scraping the bottom of the barrel with that lowered bar of his.
    
    Maybe he'll regale us with the Massive Memes of Mixed-Up Metaphor-Man!
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- coldbrew, 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:51am
  
  Re:
  1) This video was posted at 11:18.
  2) This video is ~3 min long 11:21.
  2) Your comment is timestamped 11:26.
  
  If you think so poorly of this site, why do you obsessively refresh this site every 3-5?
  
  I'm starting to believe Masnick trolls his own site :)
  
  I agree it was mildly funny. If you want really funny, I can't point you toward about 5 South Park episodes that demonstrate the absurdity of IP law and the actions of the copyright cartel that even you couldn't deny (well, you probably could).
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - coldbrew, 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:54am
    
    Re: Re:
    s/can/can't
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Hiiragi Kagami (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:29am

How does one request a refund of...
...free?

3 minutes. Gone forever in the blink of an eye.

I had expected to see the cod piece adorned on our lovely Dark Helmet, but nooooo. Instead, we get some pansy dressed in tights designed to blind us.

I feel duped and I want my free back, please.

As for trading... pass. I could do better, but then I'd have to find a way to ensure it wouldn't get passed around like some drunk girl at a college frat party and this means I'd have to fight against copyright, and the battle so far isn't going so well.

But it's nice to see another defender of the cause... regardless how poorly they're dressed.
*snickers*
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 2:52pm
  
  Re: How does one request a refund of...
  To quote an anonymous Washington, D.C. Radiohead fan that went to pick up the free newspaper the band was releasing in conjunction with their new album yesterday...but the band's site posted an incorrect address - "Fuck them for not giving us something for free!"
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- nasch (profile), 1 Apr 2011 @ 9:15pm
  
  Re: How does one request a refund of...
  3 minutes. Gone forever in the blink of an eye.
  
  It takes you three minutes to blink your eye??
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2011 @ 11:55am

Well *I* liked it! :)
It was funny - would be better without the stilted speech-synth, but still good.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2011 @ 12:45pm

Is the copyright man wearing a condom to imply he is safe in some weird sexual reference kind of way?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2011 @ 12:47pm
  
  Re:
  Oh...I get it know, he is wearing a condom on his head so to say he is a d-head LoL
  
  Right?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Dark Helmet (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 12:50pm
    
    Re: Re:
    "Oh...I get it know, he is wearing a condom on his head so to say he is a d-head LoL
    
    Right?"
    
    Much in the same manner as Inception, I've created this masterpiece in a way that leaves it open to the interpretation of the individual, thereby highlighting the film's stance on state of the human condition.
    
    Or maybe I just wanted Copyright Man to look foolish.
    
    It's definitely one of the two....
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 31 Mar 2011 @ 2:24am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      I bow in the presence of your supreme capabilities my lord!
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Tom The Toe, 30 Mar 2011 @ 1:03pm

Re: The Bottom of the Barrel
"So which is it? Did they lower the bar, or are they scraping the bottom of the barrel?"
No, it's lowering the bar into the barrel and using said bar to scrape the bottom.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Rekrul, 30 Mar 2011 @ 1:28pm

The voice synth for Copyright Man was pretty good. At times it sounded real.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 30 Mar 2011 @ 2:57pm

I liked the part where the guy did some stuff, and then some things happened. I want to grow up to be Copyright Man, or Tim....I can't decide which.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
vivaelamor (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 3:46pm

Subtitles
Put this and this together if you want subtitles.

Ha ha at Xtranormal thinking Ha was an abbreviation for hectare.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 30 Mar 2011 @ 4:33pm

Why Do Villains ...
... always have an English accent?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- vivaelamor (profile), 30 Mar 2011 @ 5:20pm
  
  Re: Why Do Villains ...
  Yet strangely this one uses seemingly Northern Irish language (wee boyo).
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 31 Mar 2011 @ 12:34am

They REALLY need to replace the audio tracks on these things. The video is somewhat good, but the computer-generated voices suck.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 31 Mar 2011 @ 4:39am
  
  Re:
  you could try the competition like Go!Animate or Ivona and see if those voices get better :)
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 31 Mar 2011 @ 4:42am
  
  Re:
  Sample of Go!Animate and Ivona.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2un6jiYpzb4
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3viWOSb2GVE
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 31 Mar 2011 @ 4:14am

Dammit! I saw this 20x already.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Any Mouse (profile), 31 Mar 2011 @ 11:26am

Nope, still can't see it. Doesn't load up on my end, for some reason. Ah, well.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 31 Mar 2011 @ 3:26pm
  
  Re:
  http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110329/10345813676/continuing-adventures-copyright-man-episode-1. shtml#c426
  
  In that comment you will find a link to the file so you can download with another link to a srt subtitle if you want to.
  
  If you want to be more geeky you can open this page source code and search for flv or mp4 and you will find the link to the video(ps: also work in pr0n sites LoL).
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
sumquy, 31 Mar 2011 @ 6:09pm

much better. i will link to that one.

once upon a time there lived the greatest teenage hacker in all the world. his handle was 5umquy, cuz all the cool hackers had cool screen names. months and years went by and one day the hacker realized he wasn't a hacker after all. he was just another netsysadmin. kept the handle, anyway.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
steve, 1 Jun 2011 @ 9:23am

Watch Toriko Episodes Movies English Subbed Dubbed Online. HD Stream Episodes for FREE at TorikoGet. For details: http://www.torikoget.com/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]