Bitcoin browser Brave sets news publishing on fire

Brave, the maker of an ad-blocking browser, plans to let users opt-in to watch ads in exchange for small amounts of Bitcoin, but the move has been strongly opposed by members of the Newspaper Trade Group, which has sent Brave a warning letter. Brave has officially responded to the warning letter today.

Seventeen members of the Newspaper Association of America (NAA), including the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, jointly sent a warning letter to Brave, claiming that Brave's proposed business plan is "patently illegal."

In their warning letter, they stated:

"Your plan to use our content to sell your advertising is no different than stealing our content and posting it on your own site."

According to Brave's business model, publishers will receive 55% of advertising revenue, and advertising partners, advertising viewers and Brave will each receive 15%. The Brave team, including Mozilla co-founder Brendan Eich, has raised $2.5 million in funding.

Brendan Eich

The warning letter stated that Brave should be held responsible for breach of contract and unfair competition.

Brave has responded to the NAA’s warning letter. Here is part of Brave’s response:

“The NAA’s letter to Brave Software is filled with false assertions. The NAA fundamentally misunderstands Brave. Brave is the NAA’s solution, not their enemy.

The NAA asserts in its letter that any browser that blocks and replaces ads on a user's device is engaging in "unauthorized copying" of web content. This is false, because browsers do not "copy" or distribute content to the Internet or other computers...

Make no mistake: the NAA’s warning letter is the first shot in the war against all ad blockers, not just Brave. While our company has never been approached by the NAA, we welcome the opportunity to sit down with them and discuss how Brave’s solution is a win-win for all. We will fight alongside all Internet users who deserve better than today’s ad-infested approach.”

Original article: http://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-browser-brave-responds-cease-desist/
By Michael del Castillo
Compiled by: Kyle
Source (translation): 8btc Information (http://www.8btc.com/bitcoin-browser-brave)