30 most vicious John Oliver take downs
By Jeremy Dick
12. Explaining how the patent system harms innovation
The U.S. patent system is a good idea in theory. Inventors should be able to protect their original ideas from thieves. The only problem is, there are those who heavily abuse the system and actually oppress innovation, and this is something that needs to be stopped.
John Oliver showed the flaws in this system on Last Week Tonight. He mentioned how companies who stockpile patents are considered “patent trolls”, though he thinks that is an insult to trolls. “At least trolls actually do something,” Oliver would add. “They control bridge access for goats and ask people fun riddles.”
Large companies can force small or startup companies to pay big bucks by patenting very basic ideas. Patent trolls are impeding innovation and ultimately harming the economy, which is certainly not something the country needs at this time. There’s no denying that the patent system has evolved into something completely ridiculous.
Unfortunately, there were steps to fix this corrupt system, but trial lawyer lobbyists helped put a complete stop to that. As Oliver points out, it makes no sense to begin with for lawyers to decide whether their should be more frivolous lawsuits. “That’s the equivalent of trusting raccoons to make laws about garbage can placement,” he said.
Next: 11. Elected Judges