Entrepreneurship

Federal judge: ‘Clipping’ news articles violates copyright law

"A US federal judge has ruled that the online news 'clipping' service Meltwater violates copyright law by using excerpts from Associated Press articles, the parties said Thursday. 'Investigating and writing about newsworthy events occurring around the globe is an expensive undertaking and enforcement of the copyright laws permits AP to earn the revenue that underwrites that work,' the judge said in a 91-page opinion. 'Permitting Meltwater to take the fruit of AP’s labor for its own profit, without compensating AP, injures AP’s ability to perform this essential function of democracy.'" Continue reading →

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First Bitcoin Hedge Fund Launches From Malta

"Similar to a mutual fund or hedge fund for alternative assets, Exante’s Bitcoin Fund permits institutions and high-net worth individuals to access the vibrant bitcoin market with a licensed product. The fund shares are distributed exclusively through the Exante Hedge Fund Marketplace platform. Authorized and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority, Exante offers the Bitcoin Fund with an initial minimum subscription of $100,000 and a 0.5% upfront subscription fee. However, U.S. persons and U.S. institutions will not be able to access the fund directly; according to the disclaimer, 'U.S. Persons may not subscribe either directly or indirectly for shares.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFirst Bitcoin Hedge Fund Launches From Malta

Packed Seattle hearing on new pot law

"They came in suits and cowboy hats, with cropped gray hair and long ponytails, and they filled one room at Seattle City Hall and spilled into another, about 400 strong. They were there to express views about the state’s new legal-marijuana law enacted last fall by Initiative 502. Growers, breeders, sellers and advocates came out to push a variety of platforms. Washington’s new law, which allows those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of pot, must be implemented by December. In theory, adults will then be able to walk into stores around the state and buy locally grown pot that is licensed, taxed and regulated by the state." Continue reading →

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Task force: Tourists welcome to get stoned in Colorado

"The task force agreed that tourists should be sold smaller amounts than residents, and only Colorado residents who’ve lived in the state two or more years should be allowed to sell marijuana at retail. Retail locations would also be required to sell only what they grow. Additionally, starting in 2014 only licensed medical marijuana dispensary owners will be allowed to apply for recreational sales permits, but the application process would open to all Colorado residents starting in 2015." Continue reading →

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Bitcoin Ready To Go Mainstream With First U.S. Exchange

"Recently armed with $500,000 in seed funding and a partnership with Silicon Valley Bank, Coinlab, a startup based out of Seattle, is bringing its innovative Bitcoin project closer to the U.S. market. The deal brings over the North America-based book of Mt. Gox, one of the largest and most widely used bitcoin to currency exchanges. According to Coinlab CEO, Peter Vessenes, the book is worth nearly $500 million in annualized trade volumes, which he expects to grow nearly ten times over the next year. Silicon Valley Bank, a company that provides financial services to emerging growth companies, will be holding deposits of bitcoin and dollars for Coinlab." Continue reading →

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United Nations report: ‘Designer drug’ use, abuse and production surging

"Designer drugs are multiplying at a worrying rate and increasingly sending users to hospital, a UN-affiliated report said Tuesday, calling for international efforts to stem the spread of these substances. Aggravating the problem further was the fact that these drugs were not subject to international control regimes and were readily available on the Internet, requiring states and international institutions to find new ways to identify the drugs and stop their distribution. Another problem was the rise in prescription drug abuse, including painkillers, sedatives and others used to treat epilepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and mental illnesses." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUnited Nations report: ‘Designer drug’ use, abuse and production surging

U.S. Government Wins Appeal in Kim Dotcom Extradition Battle

"In New Zealand, data-content entrepreneur Kim Dotcom is under attack for copyright violations. In the US, Pfc. Bradley Manning faces 20 years in prison for confessing that he sent archives of military and diplomatic files to WikiLeaks, which subsequently released the information to the world. Now it seems Dotcom is losing his battle and may end up being extradited to the US and Manning may end up with close to a lifetime in prison. But on a deeper level, the suffering of these two individuals (warranted or not) will not diminish the changes being ushered in by the Internet." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Government Wins Appeal in Kim Dotcom Extradition Battle

Jeffrey Tucker: Top Alternatives to Paper Money

"I’ve just left the Liberty Forum in New Hampshire as the proud owner of three types of nonpaper, nongovernmental monies. They operate in competition with the government’s dollar. Yes, these include Bitcoin, the mind-blowing digital currency that has techno-geeks, edgy global traders, and even the World Bank buzzing about its potential to finally separate money from the state. Why are people working on alternative forms of money? It’s all about escaping a 100-year-old trend. Depression, war, and deliberate debasement have left us with a dollar that is a mere shadow of its former self." Continue reading →

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Need Bitcoins? This ATM takes dollars and funds your account

"Zach Harvey has an ambitious plan to accelerate adoption of the Internet's favorite alternative currency: installing in thousands of bars, restaurants, and grocery stores ATMs that will let you buy Bitcoins anonymously. It's the opposite of a traditional automated teller that dispenses currency. Instead, these Bitcoin ATMs will accept dollar bills -- using the same validation mechanism as vending machines -- and instantly convert the amount to Bitcoins and deposit the result in your account." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNeed Bitcoins? This ATM takes dollars and funds your account