Articles tagged “legal”

While this is clearly a political move -- it was timed to begin right before a hearing between Airbnb and the New York Attorney General's office in Albany -- it's also the first case of city leaders unifying behind the short-term rental law.

Airbnb would have to put on quite a show today to get the judge to side with them. But if they lose, expect an appeal as well as a PR blitz that will dwarf all others.

Once Airbnb figures out taxes, it may have a leg to stand on as it argues for a repeal of the laws that make two thirds of its NYC rentals illegal -- taxes or not. Then there are the leases, landlords, and condo boards to deal with.

With this settlement, the city has clearly said it will enforce the existing laws about short-term rentals. What this will mean for Airbnb and its peers remains to be seen, as does its effect on hosts and users .

Airbnb has embraced the sin first, ask forgiveness later method of dealing with local laws. They'll now need to learn how to negotiate rather than conduct business as usual.

Expect Airbnb to fight: The information about how its most popular hosts use the service and whether this is consistent with the story Airbnb likes to tell about itself will have a large impact on the site's growth and potential IPO.

Airbnb is entering its first year with David Hantman in charge of figuring out its approach to the patchwork of laws that Airbnb largely ignores. Expect a smarter approach from the company as it tries to win more support and prep for an IPO.

Unlike a tiff between Apple and Samsung, attacks on public transit are the easiest way to hurt the broadest section of workers in cities across the U.S. Nothing like a multi-million dollar settlement to stifle innovation as well as jack up monthly rail fees for millions of people.

The federal judge's strong language to government's argument means there is movement, and couple with concerns about post-NSA-spying fallout, could potentially could lead to a more transparent system.

If US Airways had prevailed, its employee would have essentially served as the airline's collection agent, the Supreme Court ruled.