Kanye West Sics Lawyers on Coinye

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BITCOIN COINYE COINfEWEST KANYEWEST VIRTUAL CURRENCIES

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Lawyers for Kanye West filed cease-and-desist papers against the seven anonymous coders behind Coinye West, a virtual currency that went from chatroom joke to Internet sensation last week.

The legal document, dated J an. 6, includes an image of Coinye - a cartoon representation of West on a gold medallion. West's lawyer argues Don't Miss [?] trademark infringement.

"Given Mr. West's wide-ranging I entrepreneurial accomplishments, 0? Z. consumers are likely to mistakenly believe I that Mr. West is the source of your Lamborghini Unveils Chipotie Ad Named Opinion: Medical services," wrote Brad Rose, a partner at the Huracen One of 2013's Worst Downsides of Rocky •«**? Pryor Cashman LLP, which has previously Mountain Highs / worked for West. / / Hoping to keep pace with the About Digits self-assured, brash West, the techies Digits delivers breaking news and insights about the aren't backing down. Instead, they are technology landscape, including Q&As with newsmakers, moving up Coinye's release date to as product news and strategic moves. Send news items, early as Tuesday night. Looking for surer comments and questions to [email protected]. footing, they changed the name of the Uk« • Digits on Facebook currency from Coinye West to just "Coinye" and moved their website from a

.com domain name to one registered in Kanye, not Coinye—Getty India. Popular Now What's This? M No to Military, Yes to "We want to release this to the public before the man can try to crush it," one of the Hair: The Most and coders said in a Skype text interview Monday night "They'll still come after us, but that's Least Stressful... OK."

So, how did the world-famous rapper get in a legal feud with seven nerds who refuse to share their names or locations? O Top 10 Revelations m >2 "» • EH As virtual currencies like bitcoin and litecoin have taken off, copycats have emerged. ^ From Robert Gates's m «• im Some offer slight tweaks to the bitcoin code to account for fraudsters or improve Memoir transactions. Others, such as BBQcoin and dogecoin, appear more as jokes than legitimate crypto-currencies. Still, the proliferation of virtual coin prompted the group of seven coders to ask When It's OK To I themselves, what else could you name a virtual coin? "We said Coinye West and we were 3 Love Someone at the

1 of 4 1/8/2014 8:32 PM Kanye's Lawyer Moves to Block Coinye - Digits - WSJ http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/01/07/kanyes-lawyer-moves-to-blo...

like, 'Holy... we gotta make that," one of them said. Office

The Internet, predictably, became obsessed. West, an internationally known "musical artist, songwriter, producer, film director and fashion designer,' stayed silent, according to his lawyer. Rose didn't return a request for comment. San Francisco to Tax 'Google Buses' In writing, Rose requested that the people behind Coinye stop using the name or any variation of it, hand over their website and deactivate Facebook and Twitter accounts ;..1: for Coinye.

If they don't comply, Rose threatened to "notify the cryptocurrency community at large of your infringing actions and pursue all legal remedies against any business that accepts the 0 Microsoft Acquisition Enhances purported COINYE WEST currency.'' Dynamics CRM

As with any virtual currency, there is a chance Coinye could take off if Internet users decide it has value. And the spat with West will certainly give Coinye extra publicity. Show 5 More

Or as West once sang: "That that don't kill me can only make me stronger."

Kanye West Moves to Block Coinye Currency Video

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Comments (5 of 6) View all Comments » 1:16 pm January 8, 2014 OhlGetlt wrote: That's pretty clever including a line from the song Stronger in this story, which is the song that Kanye West stole Daft Punk's music wholesale, and made it worse. Pretty clever indeed.

5:39 pm January 7, 2014 Robinz wrote: Dodecoin is the ONLY real currency - all SMART and SAWY and BLEEDING EDGE INVESTORS (unlike the neckbeard losers who love bit coin) need to see the opportunity for HUGE GAINZ

3:04 pm January 7, 2014 CrazyMlner wrote: dogecoin is a legitimate crypto-currencies. And remember... what was bitcoin at the beginning 7

11:00 am January 7, 2014 Barackazillion wrote: All they have to do is make it a paper currency and you are fine. Google Barackazillion for a laughl

10:13 am January 7, 2014 General Ulysses S Grant wrote: If you see the President, tell him from me that whatever happens there will be no turning back.

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4 of 4 1/8/2014 8:32 PM Kanye West Unleashes Lawyers on 'Coinye' Altcoin Page 1 of3

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NEWS V INFORMATION , PRICE dttifyss trtnf fa c i? Cjro tt Bircom P' sM i Bitcoin > Bitcoin News >T6chnolOQV > Altcoins A beginner's Kanye West Unleashes Lawyers on guide to bitcoin Bitcoin is a digital currency that is being used 'Coinye' Altcoin increasingly all over the world. Find out more about how it works and how you can use it Nermin Hajdarbegovic | Published on January 8, 2014 at 11:30 GMT | Altcoins, Companies, News, with our straightforward guides. Startups

I ...Twetlfrre] Share { 47 | I g+1 [ _6_ IJEEU Share; 1 What is bitcoin? It's a decentralized digital currency 176 F apper-tumed-entrepreneur Kanye -y—Wfest has taken legal action against creators of Coinye West, a Why use bitcoin? Hngue-in-cheek digital currency that If it's fast, cheap to use, and secure 47 wks supposed to launch this week.

Sha '\/Vest's lawyers filed a cease-and- 14 delist order against the team of TODAY How can I buy bitcoins? 6 From an exchange or an individual coders who developed Coinye West, 8*' chiming trademark infringement.

4 According to the Wall Street Journal, the document was filed on 6th January and itife going after the coders because the design of the coin features a cartoon of Got a news tip or guest feature? reddiWest.

1 The documents explains: Share j i News in Your Inbox Bitcoin news, delivered daily "Given Mr West's wide-ranging entrepreneurial accomplishments, consumers are likely to mistakenly believe that Mr West is the source of Subscribe your services.''

The currency was supposed to launch on Sunday, but instead of being Must Read Most Popular intimidated by the cease-and-desist order, the coders have actually chosen to bring the launch forward. China's Answer to eBay Bans Sale of Bitcoins and Mining Gear The Coinye West team wrote on the redesigned homepage:

German Central Bank Official Issues Another Bitcoin Warning "Due to legal pressure, we will be launching today, January 7, at 7:00PM, Pacific Standard Time.,, US Senator Tom Carper Sees 'Good Things' in Bitcoin

As if that wasn't enough, they redesigned the image which was cited in the Can Hong Kong Lead the Way for Bitcoin Adoption Across China? complaint. The new design still features a cartoon of Kanye West, but it is a lot less flattering. Alpha Technology Takes Pre-Orders for Lite coin ASIC Miners

http://www.comdesk.com/kanye-west-lawyers-coinye/ 1/8/2014 Kanye West Unleashes Lawyers on 'Coinye' Altcoin Page 2 of3

It depicts Kanye as a fish (South Park fans should get the joke). Ironically, Kanye Who'd Have Known, Lily Allen Could Have Been a Bitcoin... was parodied in South Park for not getting a simple joke conceived by one of the show's protagonists.

Taking legal action against a team of coders who clearly have a healthy sense of humour probably won't help Kanye's reputation in certain circles.

The original 'Fishsticks' episode of South Park aired in 2009 and even West said it was funny, although he admitted it hurt his feelings.

Matt Stone and Tray Parker chose to mock Kanye West again, just a few weeks ago. If they happen to be bitcoin fans, who knows, maybe they'll do it again. ((. Kanye's lawyers have a valid point - using celebrity photos and puns to promote ^In is a product is a questionable practice to say the least. e; me toge^Mfree However, apart from having a good sense of humour, the developers obviously frt wig\ \nd know a thing or two about trademark law. Certain parodies of trademarks are permissible, including artistic and editorial parodies that are protected by the First dtai Amendment in the US.

Therefore their decision to redesign the coin and mock Kanye even further Ester Edry, owner of David's Antiques, makes perfect sense. However, it is not a bulletproof legal argument, and courts Jewelry, Collectables Old & New have rejected so-called parody defence arguments in many instances.

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Kanye West-Inspired Digital Currency 'Coinye West' Launching Next Week Follow (gcomdesk Flamboyant artist Kanye West is about to get a digital currency named after him.

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StrikeltPoor •

They didn't expect to receive cease and desist letter?

Crypo doesnt imply the rest of the world might not notice. As crypto becomes m/tra mot not roam nnt rtnlw nrvwomrnont rom ilo+r\ro ora nninn +/-i ha ujaifhSnn hut

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hw'zt&mitez-w Kanye Doesn't Think This Coinye CLICK FOR VIDEO Thing Is Funny At All Hi Tho Huffington Pest ! By K.e>fin Short S# si) wt fasted: 01/07/2414 2:^1 pm EST I Updated: (MWC0M 4.17 pmES"

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Kanye West Moves to Block Coinye

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FOLLOW: Kanye West, Hackers, Bitcoin. Cease And Desist, Coinye, Cryptocurrercy, Digitai Currency, MOST POPULAR Dogecoin, Kanye, Business Hews Dad Is (Mostly) Totally Honest On Kanye West is not happy about "Coinye," a new digital currency created by 11-Month-Old's Daycare Questionnaire anonymous coders that bears his name and face.

West's lawyers Sled a cease-and-desist letter against Coinye's creators on Monday, arguing that the eryptoeurrency represents a trademark infringement, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"Given Mr. West's wide-ranging entrepreneurial accomplishments, consumers are likely to mistakenly believe that Mr. West is the source of your services," the document reads. LOOK: These Photos Of Chicago The unknown group behind Coinye responded to the mounting legal pressure by Under Ice Are Pretty Surreal announcing that the cryptocurrency will go live on Tuesday at 7 p.m. PST, instead of

the originally planned launch date of January 11, The group changed tfaeir website "' " ^ J " Ct* URL from "eoinyewesteom" to "eomyeeo.m", registered in India, and also changed the image on Coinye to one less flattering:

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H "We are being attacked with fishsticks and must launch sooner. Jan 7th," the Coinye website now reads, referring to a "South Park" episode that made fun of West by repeatedly suggesting he was confused by the words "fish sticks." Sorry, But Your Cat Is Actually A Total Jerk. It's Just Science. Coinye is just the latest of many cryptocurrencias created in the wake of the success of Bitooin. Some are serious, but others such as Dogecoin and BBQcoin are ironic, meme-inspired jokes — although the creators of Coinye daim to be serious about the fixture of their digital currency.

"We want to release this to the public before the man can try to crush it," one of the coders said in a Skype text interview with the WSJ on Monday night. "They'll still come after us, but that's OK." 25 Reasons Norway Is The Greatest Perhaps the coders are taking inspiration from Kanye's Grammy-nominated song, Place On Earth "Carft Tell Me Nothing;"

"Wait till I get my money right... then you can't tell me nothing, right."

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"We are being attacked by fishsticks,...1' Oh man, that's awesome.

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Yup. I can totally see users using coinye's in Sllkroad-like markets! Who wants bitcoin when you can use coinye? & JAN 3:01 AH

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Perfect reply to the cease and desist order. B JAN S::02 AM

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Follow HufFost Sheed Farid (5firx426) v 5(,„ •» x ^0 • He's right to sue. Cant profit off his image, or use his Image without his permission. SJ6H 12:30 AM Enter your ernau Sign itse up! ZEPLY & FAVE — I4QR5 HuffPost Dafly Brief E Business

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Bloomberg View RSS Feed » the funny thing is he is taking it seriously, everyone knows that he could notgrok digital anything much less have anything to do with technology, it is like so smart we know nobody kanye knows knows how to make it... no possible suck

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Coinye Coin: Kanye West Lawyers Attempt to Block BHcoin-fike Currency

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Aluminium and Leather Design : Lawyers representing Kanye West have filed a cease-and-desist order against Formula E Race Car Debuts at CES Preview the creators ot Coinye West, a crypto-currency similar to bitcoin. is

Due to be launched on 11 January, the currency was developed as interest In 1 E> decentralised crypto-currencies bitcoin and the cheaper litecoin reached new 'S aw highs. FINE The legal document, dated 6 January, includes an image of the Coinye n currency, which features a cartoon repnesentation of the hip-hop artists and AP\ \ Tt record producer; it is argued that this image infringes on West's trademartc. BiSiiiB I ~1 * Addressing the creators of CES 2014: Where Cars and Technology Collide RELATED Coinye, letter reads: "Given Mr. I West's wide-ranging entrepreneurial Kanve Wftst-lnsoired Bitcoin s accomplishments, consumers AltematiVR Coinve West to Launch Next Week are likely to mistakenly believe that Mr. West is the source of gvnai is uooecoin t I tie ivienie mat your services." Became the Hot New Virtual •Af Correncv / In response to the legal torn challenge, the currency's creators are tooking to move its launch forward, possibly to as early as 7 ii Willi January. SpeaKing to the Wall Street Journal over Skype instant messaging, Ford Boss Mulally Bows Out of Microsoft GEO one of the currency's coders said: "We want to release this it the public before Race ljj„' 'I the man car try to crush it. They'll sttll come after us, but that's OK." 'i| i " j

*V* - u. - The cease-and-desist document requests that the creators of Coinye stop f\\V using the name, or a variation of it, hand over their website and deactivate the ,/Sf associated Facebooh and Twitter accounts for Coinye. • 1 H'vj.iiis A \. - t • V I!.,' t \ ' *„ • S«OP'iNCW i In an attempt to out-maneuver West's legal team, the creators of Coinye have ^ '' sk 'A 'St.V'.S.X' altered the cartoon image, dropped the West' from its name and moved their -SAA. , • website from a .com domain to one registered in India.

The newly located site states: "Due to fega! pressure, we will be launching today January 7, at 7:00pm, Pacific Standard Time." This is Sam, 8 January in US Senator, Bitcoin Should Not be Killed irt The Cradle the UK.

A Twitter account for Coinye tweeted: "Who gon stop me huh? Coinye feelin' o the heat, gonna spread what we got so far before the bigwigs steal our work." df41 FRIDAY We wonder if Koindashtan will be next illll Ep!!|i§*lp 365 DAY For much of 2013, bitcoin and fltecoin were the only crypto-currencies XZZ7JPM publicised by the media, but they were joined in December by Dogecoin, which roc/cs features a dog on a gold coin as its symbol and is based on the Doge internet meme. i IB

In early January, veteran bitcoin developer Matt Coratlo created Coingen.io, a Zappjsf site letting any visitor create their own version of bitcoin and calling it whatever they want. The cost of creating a new virtual currency is 0.01 bitcoins, or around $10.

Once created, coins for the new currency can be mined by computers solving „ mathematical equations, just as bitcoin Is mined - however, the value of these coins is fflcefy to remain incredibty low compared to five-year-old bitcoin, which currently trades for around S1,G00 per coin. f M To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: a. Charlton @tb iimes.co.uk To contact the editor; e-mail: edstor^ibtimes. co. uk China's Largest Online Marketplace Bans Sate of Bitcoin and Mining Equipment SHARE THIS 1*72 S'Bin (3 • E! Recommend • Tftfc artfcig fc copvriglrteil 6y ©Times.ca^x. (fte news leader w,

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TECH CELEBRITY LAWSUITS Page Six Kanye West declares legal war on 'Coinye' digital currency SIX-IER THAN EVER. By News.com.au January 8, 2014 { 9:08am

THE NEW PACESIX.COM

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• mf' : KanyeWestdedareslegalwaron 'Coinye'digital currency

mm UCftl PHSSSliF:?. M Will {•: TODAY . 168

Yahool's Mayer, T-Mobile chief the Kanye Wests lawyers have issued a oease and desist order to the digital ourrenoy "Coinye." talk of tech Photo: Colnyeco.ln/Getty Images

It's a tough gig being Kanye West. 100 MORE ON: KANYE WEST First people try to steal your limelight on stage, then Hooters to hot dogs: 10 celebrity they spoof your music videos and now the rapper is fighting a legal battle against a new digital currency pro-fame ggs made in his image. Hungry? Get Domino's from new in-car ordering system 2014: Who's in and who's out!? "Coinye" is the brainchild of an anonymous group of seven web developers who claim they are just a few guys "excited about the future of cryptocurrency." Sandra Bemhard's takes on the year in pop culture The digital currency is designed to rival bitcoin and uses Kanye's name and image as a parody in a bid to help it Page Six become more mainstream. 10 worst fashion fails of 2013 However Kanye hasn't taken kindly to his monetary likeness, with lawyers for Mr. West firing a cease and SSX-IER THAN EVER. desist letter against the developers.

"Mr West is an internationally renown musical artist, songwriter, producer, film director and fashion designer, to name just a few of Mr West's endeavours," says a letter PAGISSSX.CC&i dated January 6 that reads as if it could have been written by Kanye himself.

The lawyers claim the name of the currency is "substantially similar" to Kanye's name

READ NEXT: Hungry? Get Domino's from new...

1 of 4 1/8/2014 8:27 PM Kanye West declares legal war on 'Coinye' digital currency | New Yo... http://nypost.com/2014/01/08/kanye-west-declares-legal-war-on-coi...

and have demanded the group deactivate all websites and social media accounts associated with the currency.

The developers have changed the name from Coinye West to Coinye and moved their website to India, according to the Wall Street Inumal.

However they've also decided what doesn't kill them makes them stronger and brought forward the launch date due to "legal pressure," according to a note on their website.

This article originally appeared on Ncws.com.au.

FILED UNDER CELEBRITY LAWSUITS. COINYE. DIGHAl LIFE. KANYE WEST

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Kanye West threatens legal action against Micro-Green Kits Coinye programmers over digital currency $5.99 Users who receive the new Coinye coins can take them directly to the new Coinye Casino to play some classic European roulette or save them hoping they catch on and grow in value.

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uAnmifci OLBPIWF i yi.'Miit MOST READ i MOST SHARED I.. Fans who receive Coinye coins can take them directly to the new Coinye Casino to play some classic European roulette. 1 Michelle Rodriguezmakes a spectacle of herself at Knicks game

They think Comyes are forever. 2 Leonardo DiCaprio reveals terrifying shark attack

The founders of a new Kanye West-themed digital currency are defying a legal threat from the 3 Kris Jenner posts sexy poolside bikini photo famous entertainer and promising to give out thousands of newly minted digital Coinye coins to online users Wednesday. 4 Spitzera Smith hot tub tip was all wet 5 Mindy Kaling"s Elle cover sparks Users who receive the new Coinye coins can take them directly to the new Coinye Casino to play controversy some classic European roulette or hoard them hoping they catch on and grow in value. 6 Sofia Vergara on bikini body; 'Damn, I still look good" The coders reportedly plan to release the coins in blocks of 666,566 - a nod to Wests rumored 7 Courteney Cox reveals David Arquette is having a baby boy afftiiation with the itluminati - up to a pre-set maximum. 8 ShiaLaBeouf receives cease and desist "We haven't heard from any lawyers yet, but we'd love to give (West's attorney) some house credit letter after plagiarism accusation for a few free roulette spins," one of the programmers behind Coinye Casino told the Daily News in 9 'Bachetorette' Emily Maynard engaged an email Wednesday. lOShakira on weight pressure: 'My man prefers meat over bone' The programmer, who used the name Jonny Bravo, safd the CoinyeCasino.com team is prepping even more games for Coinye users arierthe site opened for "real pfay" early Wednesday.

It was Monday that West's Manhattan-based lawyer sent a cease-and-desist letter to me , , ii ...> IJ;*, anonymous coders behind Coinye claMng copyright fnfnngernent.

The logo for the humorous new cryptocurrency features a cartoon version of West with his Hi- trademark slatted shades.

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EDITORS' PICKS

Kellan Lutz denies Miley Cyrus romance rumors Miley and Kellan? Not so COINVECOINORG last. "Legend of Hercules- The logo for the new cryptocurrency features a cartoon version of Kanye West with his trademark star Kellan Lutz slammed slatted shades. rumors linking him

Gwyneth Paltrow "Given Mr. West's wide-ranging entrepreneurtai accomplishments, consumers are likely to helps out at her kids' mistakenly believe that Mr. West is the source or your services," Sawyer Brad Rose with Pryor lemonade stand Cashman said in the letter obtained by the Wali Street Journal. Gwyneth Paltrow may be a health nut, but even she can appreciate lemonade "We are just a few guys who want to taKe cryptocurrency to the mainstream," the anonymous an tf cookies. founders wrote online as they moved their launch date to Tuesday night from later in the month. Chris Brown rejects "We would like to make it clear that we are entirety independent of (West), and there should be no plea deal in assault case confusion as to the intent or origin or this project," they said. "The name 'Coinye' Is intended solely Chris Brown rejected a as parody, not an indication or implication of endorsement or involvement." plea deal Wednesday related to his alleged Cryptocurrency is invisible money released from a network that's preprogrammed with a certain sidewalk smactajown in number of coins distributed over time to users who unlock them, often times by solving complex Kanye West math problems. threatens legal action over Coinye The coins are an invention ot the network founders, and they derive any potential street value from digital currency '' 11| I'jj their popularity and scarcity. The founders of a new | Kanye West-themed digital current? are defying a legal Bitcoins have been around foryears and become so popular they've attained street value in this manner. Candace Cameron Sure defends her •••'ia 'submissive role' in Some supporters say the point of cryptocurrency is to create an iniernatioraa! system free from marriage government regulation that acts as a cheap, egalitarian version of mainstream banking services Candace Cameron Bure such as Western Union. has spoken out about V where she stands in her jfJl Attempts to reach West's lawyer and the Coinye coders were not immediately successful Shia LaBeouf Wednesday. receives cease and 'IfS' desist letter after «• [email protected] plagiarism accusation t" .\§ In a bizarre turn from his POST A COMMENT » sky-written apology to

Jennl (JWoww) Farley reveals OTHERSTOR1ES miscarriage scare Jennl (JVVoww) Farley has opened up about an early Miiila health scare regarding her pregnancy. The "Jersey • '•••'ill L J %^ M J Sofia Vergara on bikini body: 'Damn, i i still look good* ^ m She's sejty and she knows Kate Winstefs third child gets OK{ Quick Pics: Jen niter Aniston 22Ce!el!ritIss Befote AndMer it Sofia Vergara certainiy aLiitfl Thetr Photoshop Make over grizzly baby name Shows Off Her Hot Bikini Bocfy... knows how to flaunt those OK Magazine Perfect L'wina i Los Angeles Times famous curves via her

M Rapper Young Jeezy MS surrenders to police on multiple charges ri Fulton County sheriffs officials say Atlanta rapper 1 ;; Young Jeezy surrendered late last week on charges iiltMfll V''HI,, if, J &Y ^ Savannah Guthrie's Wedding The Beatles' Favorite Costar Dies Jacctueline Before She was NJ's tHivj Famous Housewive Dress: Designer Sketches at 82 Lindsay Lohan's BravoTV Briies.com AARP.org 'stolen' laptop may contain racy photos: report R&csnsmeJTdsd by Lindsay Lohan's allegedly stolen laptop rnay be worth more than just money - it zinj^r:'wsrir^ W' Alexander Skarsgard ! Going forward, the Daily News will require new users to register to the site using full names in:: poses nude in j order to comment on stories. If you have an existing Daily News account and you registered Antarctica •! i with only a screen name, that name will still be valid. If you are an existing user and you Alexander Skarsgard is •• j registered using both a screen name and your full name, your full name will appear on naked In the snow—yet QIH l| i- comments posted after October 21, 2013. We are always seeking new ways to improve your again. The hunky "True i'fl i experience and we know this change will only make our Dally News communis better. BloocT star, who ditched I„?I:'!III,

Kris Jenner posts sexy poolslde bikini photo COMMENTS jjl r When it comes to sexy ' '"'I swimsult shots, Kris Comments Ca) \ See All Comments [Discussion Guidelines] Jenner fits right in with her jJi five famous daughters. The llfc,

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LBGAL bltcoin, te§al issues Kanye West sics lawyers on Coinye — a digital currency he Epson embraces wearables with new Pulsense wrist bands, updated smart inspired glasses Intel shows off RealSense n , Zach Miners jj^yi @zachminers Jan 7. 2014 2:05 PM j ® technology

Attorneys for the American rapper Kanye West have filed a cease and desist letter I Nvidia goes for horsepower with rts new Tegra K1 graphics against the makers of Coinye—a Bitcoin-iike digital currency that generated Internet processor chatter last week.

The currency, at the time of its announcement, did not have Wesfs sign-off, and was [HgcflK B Nvidia's G-Sync monitor tech 11 called "Coinye West. Its logo featured a cartoon image of Wesfs head emblazoned on a [Vr fflE makes PC gamesloqkas gofd coin, and was partly designed to bring a more consumer-friendly aftemative to Bitcoin smooth as silk. to a less technical audience. West's trendsetting abilities and originality helped to inspire View more PCWorld videos » K, the founders said at the time.

Now, attorneys for the law firm Pryor Cashman allege copyright infringement, among other claims. "Consumers are likely to mistakenly believe that Mr. West is the source of Android your services or is, at the very least affiliated with, or has sponsored or endorsed the (1% Your guide to Honeycomb OS cryptocurrency," partner Brad D. Rose wrote in a Jan. 6 cease and desist tetter to the QEgg- " • Available starting at S12.S5. technology's developers. LEARN MORE in thp tetter Wesfs leaal team asks the develooers of the technoloav to stoo usina West's ai!33jieiii«i! name, image or likeness in connection with any product or service, deactivate the • >.:/_ Coinyewest.com website, and aft social media accounts created or used in connection WaMIIHi with the digital c urrency. Reached by phone, Rose declined to comment further. V I If tw In a way, the team may already be complying with some of those demands. The name of the technology has since been changed to just "Coinye." And the logo now also features a different image of a man with crooked teeth and a fish tail coming out the back of his head. The domain for the technology's website has been changed to be registered in India.

The name of the technology and graphic was changed to make if clear that West himself had nothing to do with the project, the developers said Tuesday via email

In their letter, attorneys asked for the Coinye team to comply with their demands by early evening on Monday. 'If you fail to comply with these demands, we will notify the cryptocurrency community at targe of your infringing actions and pursue all legal remedies Subscribe to the Best of against any business that accepts the purported Coinye West currency," they said. PCWorid Newsletter The makers of Coinye, however, do not seem deterred. In fact, they are advancing their Ii Enter email GO launch date from Jan. It to to p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, "due to legal pressure," their See Alt Mevsistefters;» website states. "We want to get this into the hands of the public—after that, it's peer to peer and unstoppable," they said in their email.

Image: Rodrigo Ferrari via Flickr/Crsative Commons

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01<'07/20t4 02:04 PM PST

Kanye West is a douche bag. He believe rock music is dead too. What a moron.

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ML2376 ML2376 avatar 01/07/2014 02:08 PM PST

So what? You can't just name something after someone without their permission, no matter who they are.

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ML2376cMfc_2376coin avatar 01/07/2014 06:39 PM PST S ML237S said So what? You cant Just name something after someone without their permission, no matter who they are.

Yea, t agree wholeheartedEy. Power to the People.

recommend reply report abuse cryptomaa(l#8onnan420 avatar OWraO'M 03:25 PM PST

Once it's launched it will be impossible to stop! No matter how you feel about it. If s only a plus that he's a idiot, no matter if the coin dies or not it's a slap in the face to all the expensive lawyers that are completely helpless to stop this. A cease and desist tetter HAHAHAHAHAii! That probably cost him a few hundred K on fop of the embarrassment this brings me joy.

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1P*| • optrader1001

01/07/2014 10:23 PM PST

I didn't like this coins idea UNTIL west stupidly tried to stop it and just gave it more publicity. And I like its new logo better, shoes his true form!! A GAY FISH1

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xOmrgrinchOx

0-'/Of/SOIa -0:M PM PST

ML2376 said So what? You cant just name something after someone without their permission, no matter who they are.

Yea! tell that to http:/7[censoredjnobarackobama.tumblr.com/ and https://wvvw.facebook.cotri/pag6s/[censored3-lhe-US-Governrnent /256452604389665 fb pagef

recommend reply report abuse mssonyamssonya avatar 01/07/2014 11:11 PM PST

M.237S saidSowbai ?:;• You can^justnaipe something sflec someone without their permission, no matter who they are.

You arguably can if if s a parody. Entertainers and others who place themseives in the public spotlight have historicaily received Sess protection from slander and libel, or related parodies. How else can the tabloids get away with stating ridiculous things about celebrities?

recommend reply report abuse c ryptomaof$floman420 avatar 01/08/201412:80 AM PST

ML2376ca'm said

ML2376said

So what? You can't just name something after someone without their permissiofi, no matter who they are: Yea/i agree molehearierily. Power to the People. \ : ; Once it's launched it will be impossible to stopi No matter how you feel about it. If s only a plus that he's a idiot, no matter if the coin dies or not ifs a slap in the face to all the expensive lawyers that are completely helpless to stop this. A cease and desist letter HAHAHAHAHAIf! That probably cost him a few hundred K on top of the embarrassment this brings me joy.

recommend reply report abuse

IcarmonalS

i 01 <00/2014 07:29 AM PST

what an idiot he should of of just claimed the coin as a "creator" and he would of made millions from if. Such a douche bag

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Ahnramin

lH/0e/20-4 '2 01 PM PST

optraderfOOl sard i didnt like this coins idea UNTIL west stupidly tried to stop it and just gaye ft more publicity. And i like its new logo better, shoes his true forma A GAY FISH'.

Thafs how I felt too, until I found out they had changed it from 'Coinye Wesf to 'CoinyeCoin'... Now It is worthless.

recommend reply report abuse Ahrramtn A 01/03/2014 12:03 PM PST

ML237S said So what? You cant just name something after someone: mtftoul thetr. permission, no master who tfiey are.. : •

Everyone whose name is not original must change it? We would have names like Deartl234352 and Jacoub632423?

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Joh n Eig EitJOtirtfETgWIhirtyTwo avatar 01/08/2014 12:08 PM PST

ML2376 said So what?: You cant fost name something after someone: without their permission, no matter who they are.

If that's how you think the law works, you should have a chat with Rick Santorum.

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berotk21Berock212 avatar 01/08/2014 12:31 PM PST

You can't tell a crypto currency to stop and expect it to stop. It's decentralized he can't do anything.

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Kanye West's lawyers attempt to block Coinye currency NO FOOD, i 8*0(31 I ER. ylMK Gryptocurrency creators have reportedly received a cease- 5- r and-desist letter from the rapper's law firm, accusing them of NO LOVE. infringing on West's trademark For just 6Qc a day, you can help rescue, feed • Kanye West inspired Bitcoin to launch next month iBEmaH and comf ort abused and neglected animals.

Sean Michaels theguardian.com, Wednesday 8 January 2D14 03.41 EST • i M Mxm Jump to comments (11) Article history ifiiiiiillllSiBliililiill IS Ma sic On Music

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5. Kanye Wests lawyers attemptto block Coinye Coinye West..."Coinye feelin'the heat, ga-nna spread what we got so far before the currency bigwigs steal ourworkH' More mostvlewecl Kanye West has made attempts to shut down the virtual currency that uses his name. The anonymous programmers behind the Bitcoin alternative Coinye West have reportedfy received lawyers' letters On the Guardian today accusing them of infringing on the rapper's trademark.

Billed as a "PROPER and FAIR... [currency] tor the masses". Coinye te West was due to get Its official launch on 11 January. But after receiving t E: a cease-and-desist letter from West's law rirtn, Pryor Cashman, the iKiiii! cryptocunrencys creators pushed forward the release, issuing the first coins last night. "WHO GON STOP ME HUH" they tweeted. "Coinye feeiin1 the heat, gonna spread what we got so far before the bigwigs steal our workU" I P? Just a day before, according to the Wall Street Journal, seven of Coinye's coders received letters from West's attorney Brad D Rose. This Film notice accused them of trademark infringement, trademarK dilution, Meryl Streep attacks Walt Disney en unfair competition and cyberpiracy. "Given Mr Wesfs wide-ranging antisemitism and sexism entrepreneurial accomplishments, consumers are likely to mistakenly believe mat Mr West is the source of your services or is, as the very least... [had] endorsed the cryptocurrency" Rose wrote.

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m % Hf y mm | Kanye West - Bound 2 on MUZU.TV- London's first pay-per-nmiHte cafe: mil Reading on mobite? Cltcfe here to watch the idea caMi 'on? . West "seeks to resolve this matter without resort to Eitigation", Rose exptained. But in order to avoid a lawsuit, Coinye's inventors wilt have to * shut the whoie thing down: ending "devetopment, sale, distribution and V p •"£> promotion" of afi Coinye West products and services, deactivating their i-jk Facebook and Twitter accounts, and transferring the coinyewestxom £ i website into West's hands. l »•' - \'5 If they do not obey. Rose wrote, the rapper's lawyers wiSi not Just pursue f> • '% claims against Coinye West*s inventors; they wl "notiJy the . i ? •• cryptocurrency community at large of [Coinye's] infringing actions" and World news ; sue any business that accepts the novefty currency. According to the United States' Lanham Trademark Act, West is apparently eligible for an 'Underwear bomber' was working for award of trebie damages, plus attorney's fees and costs. the CIA

So far at teast, Coinye West's intrepid techno-economists have made oniy one concession, changing the currency's name from Coinye West to simply Coinye, Their main website has shifted accordingly, to cofnyecoin. "We want to release this to the public before the man can try to crash it," one coder told the Wall Street Jourmai. 'They'll stilt come after us, but that's OK." H m

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