Bitcoin in tv show -The Good Wife - Episode 3.13 - Finding Mr. Bitcoin

[SgtSpike]

Probably because Facebook and whatever the equivalent of FactSwim is are trademarked, and can't be used without corporate authorization and all that BS.  No one owns a trademark on "Bitcoin", and let's hope it stays that way!

Amen to that.

I did wonder why they bothered to change the logo on the bitcoins for the spoof sommercial they had though. Likely just to avoid any 'potential' issues in case there ever were to be any? Which at this point, there are not.

Because technically, the person who first posted that image can lay claim to copyright in court if they want, unless they specified an open license type.  But without a license specified on release, and without anyone having applied for a copyright license, it can be argued that the first person to publish the image is the copyright holder.  More than likely, they thought it would be easier to just make their own logo than to find any license/copyright information on the existing one.  But IIRC, the current orange logo was released under an open license for anyone to use however they like.

TV shows make quite a lucrative target for people to sue over, so they definitely take every precaution they can in protecting themselves from using IP they aren't entitled to use.

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[cypherdoc]

did we ever figure out who is Robert Taylor who gave that interview to Bruce Wagner last week?  he never actually said he was an actor did he?

[BitcoinPorn]

did we ever figure out who is Robert Taylor who gave that interview to Bruce Wagner last week?  he never actually said he was an actor did he?

I've read his name I think about three times from you, I now believe you are Robert trying to promote yourself     jk, I checked the episode of the Bitcoin Show earlier when you had posted and I did not immediately recognize that guy either, but I will be rewatching The Good Wife tonight.  I didn't hear the whole interview, so I didn't catch his relation to the show or cast or anything, I just figured he might be one of the writers friends and does walk on parts or something.

[PrintCoins]

I missed it.    Anywhere to watch it online that doesn't involve breaking the law?

http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_good_wife/video/2186658794/the-good-wife-bitcoin-for-dummies

If CBS doesn't hate you/your country.

Apparently the US is hated. It is no longer available.

[SgtSpike]

I missed it.    Anywhere to watch it online that doesn't involve breaking the law?

http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_good_wife/video/2186658794/the-good-wife-bitcoin-for-dummies

If CBS doesn't hate you/your country.

Apparently the US is hated. It is no longer available.

I just tried it, and it started just fine for me...

[notme]

I missed it.    Anywhere to watch it online that doesn't involve breaking the law?

http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_good_wife/video/2186658794/the-good-wife-bitcoin-for-dummies

If CBS doesn't hate you/your country.

Apparently the US is hated. It is no longer available.

Must be the other option... they hate you .

[BitcoinPorn]

Apparently the US is hated. It is no longer available.

Watching in another window right now from that link, try again.    I am not sure if I am surprised or not that a full tv show, not just clips, is put online on their own website after the show airs that quickly, but maybe that is a commonplace now in days?   Smart of CBS to do it on their own site rather than cough up money to Hulu I guess.

[Explodicle]

One of my co-workers came up to me today and said "Bitcoin went mainstream! I saw it on TV last night."

I was all like "mainstream? Then it's soooooooo over."

Now I need to learn how to use Open Transactions in order to remain hip.

[SgtSpike]

Apparently the US is hated. It is no longer available.

Watching in another window right now from that link, try again.    I am not sure if I am surprised or not that a full tv show, not just clips, is put online on their own website after the show airs that quickly, but maybe that is a commonplace now in days?   Smart of CBS to do it on their own site rather than cough up money to Hulu I guess.

All the major networks do (except Discovery, and I rue them for it).  I often watch shows I am interested in on the web now, instead of on their timetable.  I think the last major network show that I didn't find hosted at their own website was American Idol, and for good reason (no voting allowed after 2 hours after the show ends, IIRC).  Not that I watch American Idol or anything.... *ahem*

[BitcoinPorn]

All the major networks do (except Discovery, and I rue them for it).  I often watch shows I am interested in on the web now, instead of on their timetable.  I think the last major network show that I didn't find hosted at their own website was American Idol, and for good reason

Amazingly, even though the download link was ready for The Good Wife right before air, I went ahead and watched it on TV.  So weird, as I'm like you, I've switched to online watching only, with my laptop ready to be docked to my tv and sound system for big viewing of anything on the laptop in the living room.  It was neat to have breaks in between the show, these things called 'commercials' I forgot about lol, it allowed me to check Bitcointalk before hearing the show was back on in the other room. 

I still prefer just having shows running non stop on a laptop next to me and I just work and do things around that then it be the focus, but it was very retro to watch a tv show with commercials again.   I feel a shift in the way media is distributed is going to be forced sooner than later, I have already got two friends to purchase TB external hard drives to watch shows off of.  It isn't hard to convince them of commercial free, when you want, just plug it in your PS3 or 360.   

[DeathAndTaxes]

Probably because Facebook and whatever the equivalent of FactSwim is are trademarked, and can't be used without corporate authorization and all that BS.  No one owns a trademark on "Bitcoin", and let's hope it stays that way!

Amen to that.

I did wonder why they bothered to change the logo on the bitcoins for the spoof sommercial they had though. Likely just to avoid any 'potential' issues in case there ever were to be any? Which at this point, there are not.

Because technically, the person who first posted that image can lay claim to copyright in court if they want, unless they specified an open license type.  But without a license specified on release, and without anyone having applied for a copyright license, it can be argued that the first person to publish the image is the copyright holder.  More than likely, they thought it would be easier to just make their own logo than to find any license/copyright information on the existing one.  But IIRC, the current orange logo was released under an open license for anyone to use however they like.

Lots of times companies are reluctant to "casualy" use even open licensed artwork because verifying the license can be difficult and tracing back the work history can be next to impossible.

For example say I make Bitcoin logo and license it creative commons for for non-commercial use only (or offer no license).  Someone copies my work (unknown to me) makes a small change to it and releases it public domain, or creative commons, etc.  Now the TV company uses that license. They even do some do diligence and "verify" the image & license is valid.  The show hits the air and I go "WTF that is my artwork?".   The show thought they were using a lawfully licensed original creation but my copyright is still valid.  If I convince a judge that the derivative work is similar enough to my own well I might end up with a million dollar pay day.  

Just the chance of that happening and the difficulty in verifying work product makes companies very reluctant to use work which could be unlawful derivitive work.   Unless the artwork is essential to the story companies don't even want to take the chance.  Given 99.999% of the audience hadn't heard of Bitcoin uses an alternate created in-house artwork bypasses the whole legal issue and has no real effect on the story.

[payb.tc]

i hope someone at CBS releases the original full copy of that parody video, not just as filmed on a laptop screen... you can tell by the episode that not all of what was created was shown, like when the laptop screen is hidden from view but you can still hear the video playing.

[ShadowOfHarbringer]

I just saw the episode and it is absolutely INCREDIBLE !

I mean, of course it had a lot of usual stupidities and simplifications so average american is not bored (like "Mr. Bitcoin is such an awesome haXX that only he can change the bitcoin code and embed something in the blockchain" - LOL), but overall, the episode was much much better than I thought.

What i mean to say is I expected it to be far more foolish and inaccurate. They actually got about 90% of the important details **right**, except for that creating currency is not illegal in the US. They even included the currency vs commodity dispute which is often brought up on the forums.

I am also impressed by the number of times they actually used the word "Bitcoin" in it. It was like they were really trying to advertise it !

I may consider actually watching "The Good Wife" after this, even though i don't like the "law-drama" genre very much.

[beckspace]

"The Good Wife" Executive Producers:

Ridley Scott (Bladerunner)
Tony Scott (Top Gun)

And I forgot to mention, also executive producers:

David Zucker - Airplane! and Top Secret! (Thanks ZAZ,  )

Charles McDougall - The Office

[Crypt_Current]

I am currently watching this right now.  First episode of this show I've seen.  I got a little angry when the stupid old fuddy-duddy judge got impatient and ruled BTC is a currency.  Me more watch now...

[mc_lovin]

I love it how they also kept using the word 'bit' as well, just in everyday conversation.  Also, when they used the word 'difficulty' a few times there made me feel like they custom tailored the episode just for us!

[Crypt_Current]

I just saw the episode and it is absolutely INCREDIBLE !

I mean, of course it had a lot of usual stupidities and simplifications so average american is not bored (like "Mr. Bitcoin is such an awesome haXX that only he can change the bitcoin code and embed something in the blockchain" - LOL), but overall, the episode was much much better than I thought.

What i mean to say is I expected it to be far more foolish and inaccurate. They actually got about 90% of the important details **right**, except for that creating currency is not illegal in the US. They even included the currency vs commodity dispute which is often brought up on the forums.

I am also impressed by the number of times they actually used the word "Bitcoin" in it. It was like they were really trying to advertise it !

I may consider actually watching "The Good Wife" after this, even though i don't like the "law-drama" genre very much.

I know, right??  Everything you said!

[EhVedadoOAnonimato]

I also liked the episode. This is the only episode of this series I've watched, and I don't expect to be watching any other. But the "bitcoin aspect" of this one was done better than I expected.

Also, interesting to note how much the writer of this story was inspired by that New Yorker article of Joshua Davis. That was really a good article.

[BTCurious]

Do the writers or the producers have a bitcoin donation address?

[sadpandatech]

Do the writers or the producers have a bitcoin donation address?

You know, I was thinking about that. Maybe we could whip together a little 'care package' from Bitbrew to their office.  I believe Edd was working on some Bitcoin coffee mugs for a package we are sending out to the folks at Archive.org.  I'd give a coin or 2 for that, if there is interest.