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How Reed Hastings’ Facebook Status Update Landed Netflix in SEC’s Crosshairs

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The move came as a shock to many in the tech business community, in which we’ve become accustomed to real-time disclosure by company executives through social media. Last month, the SEC announced it was taking action regarding Netflix’ (NFLX) securities compliance based on a Facebook status update posted by CEO Reed Hastings.

SEC 158
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Intellectual Property for Startups in the Real World

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It’s often possible to “ design around ” a patent to operate a business that achieves similar results in different ways.) Financial, technical and operational plans and forecasts of all kinds (trade secret). As we’ve discussed, obtaining a patent can be a slow, costly and difficult process. trade secret).

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10 Common Startup Flaws Leading To An Early Demise

Gust

Even a non-profit has to generate revenue (or donations) to offset operating costs. Viral marketing and word-of-mouth are not enough these days to make your product and brand visible in the relentless onslaught of new media out there today. Without effective and innovative marketing across the range of media, you won’t have a business.

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Assume Your Market is People Like You, Then Fail

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Little things make a big difference, so you need to tune your operational readiness and support to these new customer segments. Use social media, search engine optimization, blogging, and mobile media. Make sales and customer service friendly. Maybe your shopping bags need handles, or your employee attire needs adjusting.

Marketing 136
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Probable and Improbable Lobbying Wins: The 1,000-stockholder Rule

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Without these two laws (or their equivalent), the social media revolution of the past decade would have been stillborn. Yet the content industry (principally represented by RIAA and MPAA) has been relentless in pushing for UGC site operators to be deputized in a copyright police state in the interest of fighting piracy.

IPO 110
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Copywrong Again: Founding the Next Pinterest or Napster?

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Copyright is not the only type of IP right implicated — and others such as rights of privacy and publicity become increasingly relevant in the age of social media — but it provides many of the most accessible examples. Let’s use Pinterest as a case study. If not, can I still do it anyway ?

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Keep It Under Your Hat: Valuation Caps and the $650 Million Sale of MySpace for $125 Million

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Never missing an opportunity for a good war story, I’d like to revisit one high-profile transaction, the $650 million acquisition of MySpace by Fox Interactive Media in 2005, on which I spent many sleepless nights along with the rest of the deal team.