Kanye West’s lawyer orders “Coinye” to cease-and-desist just before launch

http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/01/kanye-wests-lawyer-orders-coinye-to-cease-and-desist-just-before-launch/

by bcn • 13 years ago

38 23 13 years ago

shitlord• 13 years ago

Lawyers really don't understand technology... they just added fuel to the fire.

rayiner2• 13 years ago

How is "technology" implicated in a relevant way here? Kanye is entitled to control how his name and mark are used, and it's utterly irrelevant whether the folks misusing the mark are creating a cryptocurrency or a specialty doughnut shop. You can't just wave your hands and shout "technology!" and pretend all the existing rules don't apply to you as a result.

What's shocking to me is how immature the creator of Coinye is being. What possible technological purpose does it serve to make the Kanye reference to name a cryptocurrency? It smacks of a childish attempt to create publicity. If I were Kanye I'd be pissed if someone tried to use my image and my fame to peddle his ideology-based product.

rblatz• 13 years ago

I think the point is that the technology is designed to not have a central person or organization to sue or shutdown. So serving a cease and desist letter isn't just pointless, it is counterproductive.

TylerE• 13 years ago

Have you been paying attention? (Dogecoin, etc)

TheZenPsycho• 13 years ago

Crypto-currencies are the new Pyramid scheme, fueled by speculation and attention. By "taking the bait" as someone else in this thread put it, all they've done is hand the creators of Coinye a huge bucket of money.

loso2• 13 years ago

Do people really look at Kanye West as a "gangsta" rapper? A small matter but I find it interesting that the makers of the coin who I assume are either fans or at the very least familiar with his music labeled him as such.

mitchh• 13 years ago

I don't think so. He's even mentioned on some songs that he doesn't see himself as gangsta rap.

http://rapgenius.com/9243

misuba• 13 years ago

No, they don't. Gangsta rap as a style and thematic focus is a long way from what Kanye does.

Also, it doesn't look like anyone described him as such - the article contains the quote "like isn't he some big fuckin' gangster." The context is that he's making threats, albeit legal ones. So while the would-be creators of Coinye are certainly coming off looking like morons, they haven't made the particular mistake of labeling Kanye as "gangsta."

gaius2• 13 years ago

I dunno, he is closely associated with Dr Dre these days. But as you say it is neither here nor there.

loso2• 13 years ago

I may be a little sensitive on this point since before becoming a programmer I made a living through the hip hop scene (DJ, security, etc...) but usually when someone makes a comment like that they are usually implying that the artist is a "gangsta" rapper. But again I might be just extra sensitive about the topic and wrong.

dmk23• 13 years ago

Great publicity stunt and does not look like this lawsuit has a leg to stand on. Good for them that Kanye took the bait.

gmu3• 13 years ago

I guess time will tell, but I think this is a pretty slam dunk trademark infringement case (like it or not). Also it isn't a function of them taking the bait or not, trademarks have to be actively defended if the owner wishes to retain them.

evolve2k• 13 years ago

So the bet is 'Can we stay anonymous long enough to launch this thing, profit from the controversial publicity and cash out without being outed'.

Which one really is the gangster here?

twerquie3• 13 years ago

Kanye West makes no claims about being a gangster. In fact, when his music first became popular, it ushered in an era of non-gangster "backpack" rap, at a time when "I've been shot 6 times" 50 Cent was on top of the charts.

garrettdreyfus2• 13 years ago

Thank you for pointing this out, I often see rappers and particularly kanye being degraded by people who no little about the history of rap.( Not bashing your parent by the way. I mean in general.)

ck2• 13 years ago

cyberpiracy? All the other claims I could see but why throw cyberpiracy in there to make your argument weaker?

There is no "piracy" going on. Just a vague parody of a celebrity.

Personally I think we could all do with less celebrity worship so if this dies, all for the best.

Now dogecoin, that was fun and educational because you got to experience all the facinating things about crypto currency with low penalty and fast updates. Making a mistake with Bitcoin or Litecoin is an expensive learning curve by comparison.

daemonk• 13 years ago

It is kind of a dick thing to do to someone. The creators are just profiteering off a celebrity's infamy.

garrettdreyfus2• 13 years ago

The insinuation that kanye is trying to take over a crypto currency is laughable to me. Although the anti corporation sentiment of it would fit the theme of yeezus.

Kanye West’s lawyer orders “Coinye” to cease-and-desist just before launch

Related Stories