Nintendo is going to start collecting royalties from fan-made YouTube videos that contains content from their games. Every time that a YouTube user uploads a walkthrough or “let’s play” video, Nintendo will generate revenues from YouTube. The “let’s play” format generally features a gamer showing how to beat a level or how to collect points in a 10-30 minute video.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is going to speak in front of Congress next week with a proposal to simplify corporate tax laws. Cook’s appearance is taking place at a time that lawmakers are going to revamp the tax code as a whole. Cook is going to present specific proposals that are aimed at encouraging companies to bring back foreign earnings to the United States as part of an effort to invest in job creation and research and development, according to The Washington Post. Cook will be speaking at a Senate hearing on Tuesday that is going to take aim at companies shifting profit overseas as part of a method to lower tax bills.
Mozilla recently launched Firefox 22 in beta mode. One of the most controversial features that was supposed to be built into the browser was a default third-party cookie blocking software. This feature was aimed at preventing cross-website tracking of browser users with cookies not originating from the websites that users visit. This feature will still be available in the next Firefox released, but will be turned off by default. The next Firefox release is expected to arrive in June.
There are new reports that Microsoft Corporation is preparing to launch an 8-inch version of the Microsoft Surface tablet. According to DigiTimes, a Taiwan-based supply chain reported that Microsoft will be showcasing an 8-inch Surface tablet in June. Another 10-inch version of the tablet is also expected to arrive in Q3.
Apple has been in talks with music labels about launching a streaming music service that would compete against services like Google Play Music All Access, Spotify, and Pandora. Apple wanted to roll out the streaming music service this summer, but some of the details that they are trying to figure out with Sony Music is how much Apple would pay for songs that people listen to for a short period of time and then skip, according to sources with CNET. There are also other issues in the negotiations.
Congress has asked that Google addresses several privacy concerns around the new wearable Google Glass product. The letter that Congress sent to Google was addressed to Google CEO Larry Page has 8 questions in it that requires a response by June 14th. Google Glass lets users take photos, record and watch video, send text messages, and post information to social media.
Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) has raised $1 billion in new capital after selling more shares in the company. Tesla plans to use the new capital to pay off a $452.4 million federal loan. After that, the company will have around $678.8 million in cash and cash equivalents with long term debt of $600 million, according to a company filing.
Jon Brod, the CEO of AOL’s local content website Patch.com, is stepping down. He will be replaced by Patch.com COO and president Steve Kalin. Brod is going to run AOL Ventures going forward. AOL Ventures is AOL’s venture capital arm. Patch.com is also laying off less than 3% of their 1,400 employee count. Several parts of Patch.com will also be consolidated. The company’s is restructuring their regional teams from 20 to 9.
