The Chinese internet shopping Goliath, Alibaba, has overcome its previous struggles to win a trademark infringement case against a cryptocurrency that was blatantly sponging off its recognizable name.
Alibaba has won a preliminary injunction against Alibabacoin Foundation (ABBC) for trademark infringement, MarketWatch reports .
Despite the obvious likeness in the names of the two corporations, they are not affiliated in anyway.
Earlier in the year Alibaba was unsuccessful in filing a lawsuit against ABBC. The case was denied by judges on the grounds that US district courts did not have jurisdiction over ABBC – which claims to be based in Dubai and Belarus.
Since then, Alibabacoin Foundation has stepped even further over the mark. According to reports, ABBC continued to use Alibaba’s branding and trademarks to promote its ICO and cryptocurrency.
Alibabacoin Foundation was using the unlicensed materials to try and raise $3.5 million in an ICO. The coin has a current market value of $1.9 million.
The injunction prevents ABBC from using any materials, terms, marks, designs, words, and terms belonging to Alibaba.
If ever there is a reason not to trust the promotional materials of a cryptocurrency on first sight, this is it.
It would be quite reasonable (for the uninitiated) to assume Alibabacoin is affiliated to the mega-successful Alibaba corporation – but it’s not. Any company that uses stolen copyright material isn’t one to trust in my books.
That said, it’s not like Alibaba has never been used to sell knock-off goods before…
France calls for EU-wide cryptocurrency rules amid Libra concerns
The European Union needs to establish a common set of rules for cryptocurrencies to counteract risks posed by Facebook ’s Libra , France ’ s Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said today.
According to Reuters, Libra could pose risks to consumers, financial stability and even “the sovereignty of European states,” Le Maire said.
His latest comments come just one day after he said France would block Libra ’s development because it posed a threat to the “monetary sovereignty” of governments .
As previously reported by Hard Fork , Le Maire said Libra posed systemic financial risks, risks for sovereignty, and the potential for abuse of market dominance associated with Facebook ’s cryptocurrency .
“All these concerns about Libra are serious. I, therefore, want to say with plenty of clarity: in these conditions, we cannot authorize the development of Libra on European soil.”
Le Maire also spoke about the creation of a European “public digital currency ,” but failed to divulge further details. He is, however, expected to discuss this issue with other ministers next month.
Libra controversy
It goes without saying that Facebook ‘s ‘ cryptocurrency ‘ hasn’t had it easy so far.
Ever since it was first announced earlier this year, the tech giant’s project has ruffled feathers across the globe , with countries such as India expressing deep-rooted concerns relatively early on.
Despite the controversy, Bertrand Perez, general director of the Libra Association, told French magazine Les Echos , said he was confident about Libra launching in 2020.
“In many countries, the regulatory framework for cryptos [sic] is still unclear,” he said. “And we are firmly maintaining our launch schedule, between the end of the first half of the year and the end of 2020.”
“To achieve this goal, we still have work [to do] and especially with the regulators. We are about to get our approval, as a payment system , in Switzerland . We are fully aware of the issues related to money laundering and terrorist financing, and we will work with regulators to address them,” added Perez.
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11 iconic movie / TV characters who should have been HODLing
It’s no secret: Cryptocurrencies have had better days. Though people who’ve been HODLing since 2016 are still smiling upon today’s bear market, those who jumped on the crypto train in late 2017 might feel it’s an empty phrase.
But HODLing is more than an investment strategy. It’s a philosophy. A way of life. Or maybe we just needed a crypto-related segue into a more appealing topic — movie and TV characters falling to their deaths. Which is what you came for, right? So here’s the list (and yes, spoilers).
1. Hans Gruber — Die Hard
Hans Gruber’s death in Die Hard is easily one of the most iconic deaths in cinema history — but frustratingly avoidable. We wouldn’t have had to say goodbye to our beloved villain and his snooty mixture of British poshness and a fake German accent if he’d only picked the right arm to hold onto.
First lesson of HODLing: just HODL. Second lesson: HODL on to the right things.
2. Mufasa — The Lion King
Mufasa dying scarred me for life, no pun intended. Like watching Bambi all over again. But worse, because Bambi’s mom was sort ¯_(ツ)_/¯. Don’t show this to your kids, ever.
3. Jack Dawson — Titanic
This one is a little controversial because Jack wasn’t really the one to let go — it was Rose. Even though she literally promised him not to, she still untangled his dead, cold hands and let him sink into the Atlantic. Then again, he could’ve put more effort into staying alive — there was room for two.
4. Bran Stark — Game of Thrones
Little Bran Stark getting pushed out of a window by Jaime Lannister shocked audiences everywhere — and it happened in the very first episode. Thankfully, the only child in this list is also the single one who survives their fall, but this little incident does leave him crippled for life — and prematurely acquainted with incest.
Need more HODLing in your life? eToro just launched an amazing new ad campaign starring former GOT-actor Kristian Nairn. Watch it here:
5. The Joker — Batman
The Joker’s death scene could have been suspenseful if it hadn’t been for Jack Nicholson, psychotically laughing and making puns (“Sometimes I just kill myself”) right until he plunges to the pavement. Also, HODLing might have been challenging with that giant gargoyle tied to his leg.
Gaston — Beauty and the Beast
It’s no coincidence Gaston is the second Disney character in this list, Disney uses this plot device all the time . But Gaston’s fall deserves a spot in this list because it’s such a classic: He loses grip himself while trying to pull the Beast into the abyss. Oh, and Belle effortlessly saves the Beast like the feminist heroine she is. All’s well that ends well.
7. Matt Kowalsky — Gravity
This one is as poetic as it is tragic. Or, as my colleague Matthew Beedham described it: “Like Titanic, but in space.” Astronaut Matt Kowalsky, played by George Clooney, disconnects himself from fellow astronaut Dr. Ryan Stone to save her life. He then drifts off into eternity, presumably dying within minutes due to lack of oxygen. Neil DeGrasse Tyson wasn’t buying this heroic death plot though, claiming Dr. Stone could have easily reeled him in. Judge for yourself.
8.Dumbledore — Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Could anything be as haunting as the death of Albus Dumbledore? One of the most beloved characters to ever be written met a tragic end at the hands of one of the most misunderstood, Severus Snape.
Seeing our gay gramps get “Avada Kedavra’d” off a Hogwarts tower is possibly one of the most chilling deaths in literature and is likely responsible for 90 percent of our collective childhood traumas (the other 10 percent is surely being forced to eat broccoli). Also, love the ultra slow motion fall — it really drills his death into the minds of the little ones watching.
9. King Kong — King Kong
Whether you watch the version made in 1933, 1976 or 2005, King Kong always ends up pinned to the Empire State Building in the final scene. But we all know he doesn’t fall to his death “because of the airplanes. It was the beauty that killed King Kong.” He’d rather die than live without her. Who says chivalry is dead?
10. Dr. Drake Ramoray — Friends
Arguably one of the most famous and crushing soap-actor deaths in TV history — the death of Dr. Drake Ramoray in Friends. After Joey claimed he made up most of the lines on Days of Our Lives, the producers tragically wrote him out of the show. Ending his legacy by having him fall to his death down an elevator shaft. Tragic.
11. Sarah — Cliffhanger
Oh, Sarah. Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. Some would say you’re a one-dimensional character meant to provide the emotional catalyst for Sylvester Stallone to do Sylvester Stallone-style things in the oft-forgotten action classic Cliffhanger – but you’re more than that. So much more.
You’re proof that the 90s were the golden age of action movies. You’re proof that even Stallone’s steroid-enhanced muscles can’t solve everything. You’re proof that HODLing would’ve been best because then maybe Stallone wouldn’t have killed John Lithgow at the movie’s climax.
Yes, John Lithgow was the villain of Cliffhanger. This was your fault, Sarah. Come on, sort it out.
