A quick heads up. Yesterday we linked to a gated version of Doug Kass’s always-popular surprise predictions for the new year.
Now it’s available to read freely at TheStreet.com if you don’t have a RealMoney account. Check it out.
Join the conversation about this story »
See Also:
It’s nearly impossible to keep track of the recording industry’s efforts to extend copyright around the globe, using its usual “leapfrog” means of claiming that copyright lengths need to be “harmonized,” and thus ratcheted up and up and up on a rotating basis. Apparently, while everyone was focused on places like Europe and Japan, the industry has successfully been able to get Argentina to extend the length of copyright on performances from 50 years to 70 years. Amusingly, all those quoted in favor of it, make bizarre claims that retroactively extending copyrights on content already created 50 years ago will somehow promote the creation of new music.
And, of course, as this news comes out, it’s worth pointing out that a commenter last week reminded us of economist Rufus Pollock’s paper from June of this year, which tried to calculate the optimal length of copyright and found that it is likely in the 10 to 15 year range. So why are governments moving progressively further away from that rate based on nothing other than demands from the record labels who know that lengthier copyrights are nothing more than a monopoly rent for them? What’s truly amazing is that pretty much the entire history of the copyright debate has been based on claims without any evidence that “more” must be “better.” But these days, we have plenty of evidence that shows that’s not true. So why do politicians keep extending copyright?
Permalink | Comments | Email This Story
Thus it's peculiar how Japan is now cutting taxes for foreign bonds investors. Perhaps the ability of the Japanese to buy their government's ever increasing debt has become stretched. Thus the new the foreign bond-buyer welcome mat:
FT: The Japanese government is easing the tax burden on non-resident investors in Japanese bonds in an effort to boost foreign participation in Japan’s Y933,000bn ($10,300bn) government and corporate bond market.
After June 1 next year, non-resident investors will be exempt from the 15 per cent tax currently applied to interest and the 30 per cent tax on any profits made when redeeming corporate bonds.
The government will also simplify procedures for obtaining tax exemptions on interest on government bonds and widen the scope of investors qualified to receive the tax exemptions.
Join the conversation about this story »
See Also:
The Meebo toolbar you’ve been seeing adorning the bottom of some larger sites and blogs enabling users to chat with their friends and share content with them is now opening up to anyone. Up till now, only relatively large sites were able to implement the tool, and web masters had no way of adding the functionality by themselves without Meebo’s help. Now, everyone can install it with a few lines of code on their blog or website.
“Many users who run their own websites or blogs have been asking if they could get the Meebo Bar as well. Today, we are excited to announce the beta availability of the Meebo Bar for everyone!,” Meebo announced. “We can guide you through setting up the Meebo Bar if you have a blog hosted on TypePad or Blogger or if you are hosting your own site using WordPress or Movable Type. We also support other platforms like Tumblr or any self-hosted site.”
The Meebo Bar adds, well, a ‘bar’ to the bottom of the website which can be customized to add various functionality and buttons. The main feature is the chat tool which enables users to log in and talk to any of their friends on the big number of IM protocols and services Meebo supports. Another important component is the sharing feature which enables users to drag and drop any picture or video and share it with their friends on Twitter, Faceboo… (read more)
China wanted a stimulus package in the form of frenzied lending and it got it. As we approach 2010, Chinese banks will need to re-up cash to meet capital requirements:
CCTV: Chinese banks will need to raise as much as 500 billion yuan ($73.2 billion) from the capital market next year to beef up their capital reserves after a lending boom this year, according to a Financial Times report Monday, citing Li Fuan, an official from the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC).
His comments were the first official acknowledgement of China’s banks needing to fundraise to replenish capital.
Join the conversation about this story »
See Also:
Google is building up to make a major play in an area where it hasn’t had much of a presence before, voice communications. Google Voice was launched earlier this year and it has been picking up steam since, despite still being technically in private beta. It plans to open up the service to everyone later this year and now TechCrunch reports that it will include it to the Google Apps suite for enterprises and organizations soon after.
The move wouldn’t be that unexpected considering the trajectories of both Apps and Voice. It’s also a potentially very lucrative market, though certainly not lacking in competition. Google has constantly evolved Apps and added more features and services along the way. It started out with only a handful of apps like Gmail, Calendar and Docs, but has added quite a few more along the way.
Google Voice started out as GrandCentral, a company offering a very similar service, which Google acquired in 2007. Since then it worked to move the product to Google’s infrastructure and has been opening it up for a few months now. While still in private beta, invitations are handed out rather liberally at this point.
The service enables users to have just one phone number for all their phones regardless of the carrier. Google Voice redirects all incoming calls to the connection… (read more)
Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Ford
When a new model hits the market, auto manufacturers typically release higher-option models out of the gate to maximize early profits. In short, if you’re jonesin’ to get into an all-new product, you often pay a content premium to be one of the first to get said new car or truck. In a good market, that makes sense, but since 2009 has been a sales disaster for automakers, it was understandable that Ford chose to make more lower-spec 2010 Tauruses than normal. Despite the challenging financial climate, as it turns out, many dealers are clamoring for more high content models.
Automotive News is reporting that dealers are short on SEL and SHO variants of the new Taurus. Marketing chief Jim Farley reportedly told a group of reporters at a press event that the situation was “a problem for our dealers.” Overall inventory of the Taurus is solid, with the typical dealer holding a 60-70 day supply of the plus-sized sedans – but some dealers have reportedly waited up to 80 days for certain custom orders.
Given how much more upscale the 2010 model is over the last model, this can be seen as a victory of sorts for the Blue Oval, as it wasn’t clear that consumers would welcome back the Taurus nameplate on any car, much less one with loftier aspirations and price tags. That said, all is not puppy dogs and ice cream – Taurus sales are down 22 percent year-over-year (selling 38,361 units through November), although whether that is because of the economy or the car itself remains up for discussion.
Ford dealers are reportedly also running short on F-150 Double Cab models as market demand was misjudged by product planners.
One vehicle that may help Ford to pick the right mix out of the gate is the Fiesta. Ford has gained over 80,000 hand-raisers for what will soon be the Blue Oval’s smallest US vehicle and the “Fiesta Movement” has helped the automaker get a lot more data on what kinds of variants customers expect. If the Fiesta launch goes as planned, we’re thinking Ford will take similar steps to market other products in the future.
[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]
REPORT: Ford altering Taurus model mix to build more SEL, SHO models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 |
More Milk Plus is Motherlove’s best selling product for safely and effectively increasing breast milk. |
 |
Ultra Bone-Up combines Ipriflavone (a flavonoid that reduces calcium loss from bone and promotes bone density), Glucosamine and MSM (to support the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans that compose the organic matrix of bone tissue) with Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite (MCHA) calcium, from free range Australian calves. Health Claim: In conjunction with regular, weight bearing exercise and a healthy diet, calcium Enhances teen and young adult women build bone mass and maintain bone health, and may reduce their risk of osteoporosis later in life. Daily calcium intake above 2,000 mg is not likely to provide additional benefit. Adequate calcium intake is also linked to reduced osteoporosis by slowing bone loss in older men and women. |
 |
Himalaya Chyavanprash is a unique combination of ancient wisdom and modern science. It is made from an age-old recipe under strict supervision. Its natural ingredients are tested to ensure the highest levels of purity. Enriched with pure honey and Amalaki – a rich source of Vitamin C. Good for the entire family. |
 |
Calcium is a mineral supplement emphasizing key nutrients for the support and maintenance of healthy bone and bone structure. Research has shown that supplementing with calcium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease, which frequently affects Caucasian and Asian women during their teen and early adult years. Osteoporosis also affects middle-aged and older persons as well as individuals with a family history of the disease. A lifetime of regular exercise and a healthy diet that includes calcium builds and maintains good bone health and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Daily intakes above 2,000 mg are not likely to provide any additional benefit to bone health. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans. While an adequate intake of calcium during childhood is known to prevent the disease, the NIH recommends adults take 1,000 to 1,200 mg daily to reduce further bone loss and prevent osteoporosis-related fractures.1 Calcium contains tricalcium phosphate, the exact calcium compound found in bones, vitamin D, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Includes tricalcium phosphate, the best utilized form of calcium |
 |
AHCC without Bioperine – AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) is a proprietary compound produced by cultivation and enzymatic modification of several species of mushroom mycelia, including shiitake, grown in rice bran extract. Considered a superfood supplement in Japan, AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) has been researched extensively for its immune-enhancement properties. According to human and animal research, AHCC may significantly increase Natural Killer (NK) Cell activity. AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) may also increase macrophage activity, enhance cytokine production, and support the healthy functioning of the liver as well as act as an antioxidant. |
 |
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a naturally-occurring metabolite of the essential amino acid tryptophan. 5-HTP for use in dietary supplements is derived from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant. |
 |
Solaray One Daily Guaranteed Potency Herbs deliver the ultimate in convenience; the once daily dosage makes herbal supplementation simple. Milk thistle is considered by many to be one of the best liver tonics in the world. |
 |
Each serving provides over 20 billion living organisms from twelve important probiotic strains. Intended to provide nutritive support for the normal absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract. To maximize survival of the microorganisms, each vegetarian capsule is enteric coated to help allow passage through harsh stomach acids and into the small intestine. |
 |
NOW Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a high grade, unrefined premium nutritional edible oil obtained from the first cold pressing of organic coconut (Cocos nucifera) kernels. Virgin Coconut Oil is naturally trans-fatty acid free and high in medium chain triglycerides (MCT). This oil typically contains the following beneficial fatty acids per serving (natural variation may occur): Lauric Acid 6.5 g, Myristic Acid 2.4 g, Caprylic Acid 1.0 g, Capric Acid 800 mg, Oleic Acid 800 mg and Linoleic Acid 200 mg |
 |
Lutein has powerful antioxidant properties and is intended to provide nutritive support for eye health. Additional herbs and a whole food base are included in this unique formula for added eye health support. |
