Epic Games Settles App Store Antitrust Claims Against Samsung
In a brief court filing Monday, the maker of the blockbuster shooter game Fortnite dismissed the claims against Samsung. Google remains a defendant.
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Forbes
12 minutes ago
- Forbes
15th IAC Gold + Diamond Conference Shines In New York July 14
Initiatives In Art And Culture (IAC), the Gold + Diamond conference is staged in New York every July. Celebrating its fifteenth anniversary on July 14th, 15th and 16th, this year's conference is entitled 'Eye on the Prize'. It's a timely theme, considering how the gold, diamond, jewelry and luxury goods industries are contending with disruptions triggered by geopolitical tensions, economic stressors, climate challenges, digital transformations and shifting consumer values. With a welcoming cocktail party at Heritage Auctions on the 14th, the conference convenes on the 15th and 16th in New York's Bohemian National Hall. According to IAC founder and president Lisa Koenigsberg, 'The Gold + Diamond conference offers a ... More critical opportunity for diverse industry professionals, miners, jewelry makers, researchers, curators and others to engage with what truly matters." Keeping An Eye On The Prize In an interview with this writer, IAC founder and President Lisa Koenigsberg, Ph.D., said, 'The Gold + Diamond conference offers a critical opportunity for diverse industry professionals, miners, jewelry makers, researchers, curators and others to engage with what truly matters. Safeguarding the planet,' Dr. Koenigsberg detailed, 'upholding human rights and preserving the craft and cultural heritage that define the fields of gold, diamonds and jewelry making are all top priorities for those participating in 'Eye on the Prize.' IAC hosts internationally inclusive forums that annually champion forward-thinking collaborations through its conferences and online events and publications, as exemplified by 'Eye on the Prize.'. 'The aim of this year's conference,' according to Dr. Koenigsberg, 'is to engender new thinking, innovative approaches, fruitful partnerships and initiatives in support of responsible practice writ large, while also championing artisanry and creative vision at the highest levels. Since 2011,' she continued, 'IAC has been presenting the Gold + Diamond conference to provide a platform for cross-disciplinary discussion, debate, and collaboration regarding critical issues in the jewelry, precious metals and gemstones sectors.' Edward Bickham of The World Gold Council noted, "IAC's Gold + Diamond Conference is unique in its ... More ability to bring people together from different fields to discuss the ethics of mining, the integrity of jewelry design and production, the challenges of tracing and provenance, the welfare of its workers and how we connect with consumers." Seeking Solutions Through Dialogue And Collaborations As Edward Bickham of the World Gold Council stated in an email, "IAC's Gold + Diamond Conference is unique in its ability to bring people together from different fields to discuss the ethics of mining, the integrity of jewelry design and production, the challenges of tracing and provenance, the welfare of its workers and how we connect with consumers. It's a place for spirited debate,' he related, 'and a genuine searching for solutions, a highlight for those who otherwise suffer from conference fatigue.' FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Given IAC's willingness to grapple with controversial topics that have troubled the planet for millennia, Initiatives in Art and Culture's three-day event seems rather like the gold, diamond and jewelry industry's analogue to the World Economic Forum's Davos summit. As Davos does every year, IAC programs an international, rigorously diverse; all-star roster of solo speakers and expert panelists who are influential experts and leaders in their fields. For example, leading lights include Gaetano Cavalieri, President of the World Jewellery Federation (CIBJO). Cavalieri is the eminence grise of the global movement to define and disseminate gemstone industry and jewelry industry guidelines through the 'Blue Books,' definitive directories containing international industry standards and terminology for diamonds, colored stones, pearls, coral, precious metals other materials, and industry practice. With members from over 45 countries, CIBJO is IAC's Conference Partner for 'Eye on the Prize.' As Cavalieri wrote in an email, 'Initiatives in Art and Culture's Gold + Diamond Conference has established itself over the past several years as a milestone event on the international jewelry industry's calendar. It highlights the challenges of the day,' he related, 'and also breaks new ground, both in terms of defining the issues about which we should be concerned, and the strategies and methodologies that we should consider using to deal with them. CIBJO is proud to have been part of the effort.' At 'Eye On The Prize.' Emefa Cole, the jeweler and inaugural Curator of Jewelry, Diaspora, at ... More London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V & A), will discuss how she is expanding the V & A's jewelry collection, with a particular emphasis on jewelry from the African diaspora. Other confirmed presenters are: Nicolas Luchsinger, CEO of Buccellati; Feriel Zerouki, President, World Diamond Council (WDC), and John Mulligan, Head of Sustainability Strategy and Climate Change Lead for the World Gold Council. Emefa Cole, the Ghanaian-born, London-based jeweler and inaugural Curator of Jewelry, Diaspora, at London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V & A). Cole will discuss how she is expanding the V & A's jewelry collection, with a particular emphasis on jewelry from the African diaspora. Lucian Simmons, head of Provenance Research at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, will join the conversation regarding Ghanaian culture and ongoing restitution of gold objects to Ghana which Ivor Agyeman-Duah, Director of Ghana's Manhyia Palace Museum, will explore in the panel and in his address entitled 'Ghana and Gold.' Panels Explore Compelling Gold, Diamond And Jewelry-Related Topics The concept of heritage will also be explored by Rachel Brandrick, Marketing Director of 886 by The Royal Mint, which is 100 percent owned by the UK treasury. Founded in 886 by King Alfred the Great, The Royal Mint strives to marry its illustrious history with innovations in sustainable sourcing of precious metals. (The Royal Mint built and opened its precious metal recovery facility in Wales in August 2024 to extract gold from up to 4,000 tonnes a year of circuit boards sourced in the UK from electronics including phones, laptops and TVs. The Royal Mint's 886 fine jewelry line is made with god categorized as e-waste that it recovers from this facility.) Laurent Cartier, Ph.D., Head of Special Initiatives at the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF), and co-founder of Sustainable Pearls, will moderate the panel Trust, Traceability, Transparency and participate in the panel discussion, What Does 'Precious' Mean Now? Moreover, an additional two dozen plus speakers from around the world will also be sharing their ideas and research at 'Eye on the Prize.' Key Sponsors Of The IAC Gold + Diamonds Conference As Dr. Koenigsberg detailed, 'We are honored to welcome this year's speakers who share their expertise, and have, for 15 years, worked with us to build community of thought, aspiration, and transformation. Additionally, we thank our many sponsors whose support allows us to work toward the goals we have set.' 'Eye on the Prize' sponsors include the World Gold Council, SCS Global Services, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Betts Metals, Sarine Technologies, Bulova, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Newmont, Rio Grande, Goldsmiths' Fair, the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America (DMIA), Heritage Auctions, and the World Bank. Awards For Jeweler Ute Decker And Sarine's David Block In addition to the talks and panel discussions, the conference also features an awards ceremony on July 15 from 5:30 to 7:00 at the Bohemian National Hall. During that evening, Initiatives in art and Culture's Award for Leadership in Responsible Practice in Jewelry will be given to artist jeweler Ute Decker, who is renowned for her early adoption and championing of Fairmined gold and recycled sterling silver, which she uses to create her precious pieces. An international authority on sustainable jewelry practices, Decker developed the world's largest free online resource for which can be found on in partnership with The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust and The Goldsmiths' Centre. David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies, will receive Initiatives in Art and Culture's Award for ... More Extraordinary Contribution to the Diamond and Jewelry Industry. David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies, will receive Initiatives in Art and Culture's Award for Extraordinary Contribution to the Diamond and Jewelry Industry. As Dr. Koenigsberg averred, 'Sarine's advancements in diamond traceability and data-driven transparency have played a critical role in modernizing the industry's infrastructure and in elevating consumer trust. The 'Eye on the Prize' honorees, she added, 'join a distinguished legacy of past recipients, whose courage, clarity, and commitment serve provide inspiration for the gold, diamond, colored gemstone and jewelry sectors in whose steps we hope they will follow.' As Rachel Perks of The World Bank observed, 'Every year I'm inspired by the remarkable talent and wealth of cumulative knowledge present in the IAC Gold + Diamond conference room. This event offers an invaluable opportunity to connect with key change makers we might otherwise never meet.' For ticket information regarding IAC's Gold + Diamond conference, 'Eye on the Prize,' click on this link.
Forbes
13 minutes ago
- Forbes
The Impact Of The New Tax Bill On Hollywood
One Big Beautiful Bill. The new tax bill has several provisions that impact Hollywood, summarized below: 1. Section 181. Section 181 (which permits the deduction of up to $15 million of the cost of producing a film in the U.S.) was amended effective January 1, 2025 to include sound recordings produced in the U.S., but limited to $150,000 per year. However, all of Section 181 is currently scheduled to expire for productions that start principal photography after 2025, so this may be a short-lived provision. 2. Section 168(k). Section 168(k) was renewed to permit the immediate deduction of 100% of the cost of a film (with no cap) if (a) 75% of principal photography is shot in the United States and (b) the film is 'acquired' after January 19, 2025. If the taxpayer purchases a film, it is 'acquired' when a binding contract for the acquisition is entered into, and if the taxpayer produces a film, it is 'acquired' on the first day of principal photography. In contrast to Section 181, which permits deductions as production costs are incurred, the Section 168(k) deduction is permitted only at the time of the first commercial release of the film, as long as (a) the film has not previously been released and (b) the taxpayer is the 'owner' of the film when it is released. In most cases, the 'owner' is the distributor, so the distributor, not the producer, is entitled to the deduction. In a questionable restriction, the regulations state that the 'owner' does not include a distributor 'that acquires only a limited license or right to exploit a production.' Thus, if domestic rights are licensed to one distributor and foreign rights are license to another, the IRS may take the position that neither distributor is entitled to the deduction. Even if one distributor acquires all rights to a film, it is not clear if anyone gets the deduction if the distributor doesn't pay a minimum guarantee for the rights. In that case, the distributor has no up-front cost to deduct, and the producer is not the 'owner' of the film at the time of release. In all events, Section 168(k) won't work to raise financing for independent films because (a) the producer will usually not be entitled to the deduction, (b) most individual investors won't be able to take the deduction due to the passive loss rules, and (c) the deduction will be offset by income on release of the film. I have no doubt that some hucksters will attempt the magical disappearing debt and income gambit, but they will run into the same buzzsaw of tax audits and litigation that Section 181 deals have run into. 3. Exemption for Overtime Pay. Given the long work hours on a standard shoot, people may be interested in the exemption for overtime pay. For 2025-2028, there is an above-the-line deduction for overtime pay if (a) the recipient is an employee, (b) the overtime pay is required by federal law, and (c) the employer reports the overtime pay on the annual Form W-2. The exemption is capped at $12,500 per year for single filers and $25,000 for joint returns, and it is phased out for taxpayers with income in excess of $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint returns. 4. …And No Tariffs. As I previously predicted, the tax bill does not attempt to impose a tariff on films produced outside the U.S., since it would be utterly unworkable.
Forbes
30 minutes ago
- Forbes
X CEO Steps Down: Did Yaccarino Fall Off The Glass Cliff?
Linda Yaccarino stepped down as CEO of X (Photo byfor Vox Media) Linda Yaccarino stepped down as CEO of X today, two years after she took on the role. 'After two incredible years, I've decided to step down as CEO of X. When @elonmusk and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime to carry out the extraordinary mission of this company,' she wrote on the platform. She didn't say why she was stepping down. When Yaccarino was first named CEO, many labeled her a 'glass cliff' hire. The 'glass cliff' refers to a phenomenon where women are more likely to be appointed CEO in companies experiencing financial struggles. X was certainly struggling when Yaccarino was appointed. Musk had purchased the company six months before her arrival, and both users and advertisers were exiting the platform. Although Yaccarino was tapped to lead a company with problems, that doesn't necessarily mean she was put on a glass cliff. Is There Really A Glass Cliff For Female CEOs? The term 'glass cliff' was originally coined by researchers who found that struggling U.K. companies were more likely to appoint female board members. In order to delve further into this phenomenon, they completed a study in which they told 122 participants about a fictional supermarket chain. Half were told the chain was thriving, and half were told the chain was struggling. Then the participants were tasked with choosing a CEO for the chain and were given background information on two similar candidates, one man and one woman. If they thought the chain was doing poorly, the majority (63%) chose the female candidate. If they thought the chain was thriving, they were more likely (67%) to choose the man. Why would female CEO candidates be more desirable for struggling companies? In times of trouble, good communication skills and empathy are seen as key traits. Generally, women are thought to excel at these skills. Some also believe that hiring a woman signals change, something that struggling companies often want to project. At first, it may seem like a positive that women are brought in to run these companies, especially since there are so few female CEOs. However, many of these roles have impossible expectations and are merely setting the CEO up for failure. Recently, some researchers have questioned the validity of the glass cliff theory. While women are certainly hired to lead failing companies, they are also appointed to lead profitable businesses. The question is whether women are more likely to be brought into a struggling company than a thriving one. To answer this question, researchers examined all CEO appointments (over 10,000 of them) from 1998 to 2022 in publicly held companies in the U.S. Women were no more likely to be appointed CEO of a company with financial problems than a profitable one. In fact, the study revealed the opposite. As a company's finances improved, the chances that a woman would be appointed to CEO also increased. Yaccarino And The Short Tenure Of Female CEOs Whether women are generally more likely to get appointed to CEO in struggling companies or not, few could argue that Yaccarino took over at a challenging time at X. And, despite the chaos, she has made progress for the platform. She told the Financial Times last month that 96% of major advertisers had returned to the platform under her tenure. And, predicted that for the first time in four years, X will have revenue growth in 2025. Nonetheless, the platform still finds itself regularly at the center of controversy. As an example, just a day before Yaccarino resigned, Grok, X's AI chatbot, praised Adolf Hitler. The post was deleted, but some believe it may have contributed to Yaccarino's decision to leave. There's also a chance that Musk nudged out Yaccarino. Research shows that female CEOs are more likely than their male counterparts to be fired. According to Russell Reynolds' CEO Turnover Index, women CEOs are far more likely than their male counterparts to be fired in the first three years after their appointment. Other research indicates that female CEOs are 45% more likely to be terminated than male CEOs. While male CEOs are typically only let go when a company is underperforming, female CEOs can be fired whether the company is doing well or not. Regardless of whether female CEOs are fired or choose to leave on their own, they still spend less time at the helm. According to a 2023 analysis, male Fortune 500 CEOs had been at the helm for a median of 5 years, while the median tenure for women was only 3.8 years. Ultimately, the biggest issue facing women who aspire to climb the corporate ladder is the scarcity of women at the top. According to the Women's Business Collaborative, only 9% of CEOs of the largest companies in the U.S. are women. Today, there is one fewer.
