Blogger, lawyer, Seattle Dude.
The story is out that Mark Zuckerberg says Facebook’s current priority is improving users’ mobile experience. And I know there has been press about the amendment to Facebook’s SEC filing this week, in anticipation of pricing the IPO, to the effect that Facebook knows it needs to monetize on mobile. But I wonder if the… Read More…
On Twitter’s corporate blog yesterday, the company’s engineering infrastructure VP Adam Messinger wrote that Twitter intends to implement an “Innovator’s Patent Agreement,” or “IPA,” which he characterizes as “a new way to do patent assignment that keeps control in the hands of engineers and designers.” The way Messinger explains it, Twitter is giving to the inventors it… Read More…
As social web services proliferate, I’m finding Twitter, my first love, the only one that’s truly become a natural feature of daily life. New pretenders feel fun and flashy at the outset. But, so far, most soon begin to feel like they are up to something, something other than me, my friends and our conversations…. Read More…
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act cleared its final legislative hurdle today. It is now on its way to President Obama for signature. The JOBS Act is a big deal for those seeking capital for starting and growing companies. Joe Bartlett, who chairs the advisory council to the public policy committee of the Angel… Read More…
As early as next week, we may know whether Congress will change US securities laws to permit startups to sell stock to the general public over the internet. You know how, today, companies raise money on Kickstarter by offering products, t-shirts, and other bennies? Imagine those same companies selling stock to investors over a Kickstarter-like… Read More…
Guest Commentary: “Facebook,” observes Seattle lawyer Venkat Balasubramani, writing about that company’s proposed settlement with the FTC, “is like the stereotypical person in an abusive relationship. It doles out the punishment and people keep coming on hearing a promise that it will make things right.” Venkat wonders to what extent the proposed settlement whitewashes past… Read More…
Editor’s Note: Seattle lawyer William Carleton spent several days last week in New York’s Zuccotti Park, the nerve center of the Occupy Wall Street movement. He had two goals — better understanding how Occupy Wall Street works, and not getting arrested. He accomplished both. Continue reading for his report from the scene. I flew in… Read More…
The law is starting to catch up to an undeniable reality of modern technology — recognizing that smartphones are not just devices unto themselves but rather portals to a much larger world. Reacting to a decision of the state’s Supreme Court, the California legislature passed a bill that will require police to get a warrant… Read More…
In his speech before Congress Thursday night, President Obama said, “Today you [the Congress] passed reform that will speed up the outdated patent process, so that entrepreneurs can turn a new idea into a new business as quickly as possible.” Sounds good, but is the patent reform bill really all that? Certainly the bill is… Read More…
Startup investors Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson have an interesting take on the standardization of legal documents used in angel and venture financing. It’s found in the early chapters of their new book, “Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist.” Their perspective is that the much-wished-for, much-sought-after standardization of startup financing documents… Read More…
GeekWire Summer Bash, June 21: We’ll be breaking out the ping-pong tables for this giant summer celebration at the Showbox SODO — with expert and intermediate tournaments, foosball, prizes, and more. Sign up to compete, or just come to enjoy the party and cheer on your friends. Tickets available now.
Join us at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® awards gala to see who will take home top honors in the Pacific Northwest. The finalists are high-growth entrepreneurs and leaders who are innovating, expanding and creating jobs and enhancing our communities. June 15, 2012 | Hyatt Regency Bellevue | 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Come celebrate!
You’re invited to HAPPY HOUR, a monthly meet up for leaders in the film, music and interactive industries to share, learn and make meaningful business connections. This month features guest speaker Trey Gunn, guitar player for King Crimson, Brian Eno, Tool, and more. Trey will speak to the value of original voice, how to find it, and how, as an artist and business professional, to use it to your advantage.
See you Wednesday, May 30th, 5-7 PM at Spitfire in Belltown, free admission (21+)
In case you haven’t heard, Splunk’s Seattle office is responsible for the company’s developer platform and Microsoft offerings. Join us for our open house, where you can geek out at demo stations, enjoy food and drinks, and meet our CEO, Godfrey Sullivan, and more Splunkers. The event is free, but if you’d like to make a donation, check out Year Up Seattle.
RSVP for this free event, and we’ll see you on Wednesday, 6/20, 5-8 PM
FounderDating is a premier online network for entrepreneurs to connect with cofounders. You should apply if you want to a part of a network that is:
Ideas change, people don’t. FounderDating: Where Founders Meet. @founderdating
On May 22nd at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel, join 800 tech and business leaders at the Technology Alliance’s 2012 State of Technology Luncheon for a timely conversation with John McAdam, President, CEO & Director of F5 Networks, Inc.
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Rebecca Lovell, GeekWire's chief business officer and a veteran of Seattle's tech startup scene, dispenses tips, tricks, insights and tough love in this regular column. Have a question for Rebecca? Submit your lovelletter to rebecca@geekwire.com, and follow her on Twitter @lovelletters.
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