Saturday, June 30, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Warren Buffet Goes Big On Housing
Warren Buffett seems pretty confident the housing market has cameback. How confident? Well, he just ponied up $3.85 billion for a mortgage company. The move reflects the same kind of optimism about the near-future housing market that Buffett has been displaying for months.
In a letter Buffet wrote: "Every day we are creating more households than housing units," Buffett wrote, explaining why he expected housing demand to roar back soon enough. "People may postpone hitching up during uncertain times, but eventually hormones take over". He also went on to say he would of purchased hundreds of thousands of individual homes but with the difficulty to manage buying into the mortgage business is highly justified.
Several years ago, Warren Buffett was asked how he and his partners managed to make so much money investing in the markets.
Buffett confidently answered, “We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful.”
At Investment U, our readers hear a lot about this type of investing. It’s better known as “Contorian Investing.”
And on Monday, Buffett proved once again that he’s one of the biggest contrarians in the world.
That’s because Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) put in a $3.85-billion bid to buy a mortgage business and loan portfolio from now bankrupt Residential Capital LLC.
There’s no doubt the housing market in America is still in a very shaky state. As The Wall Street Journal reports, “Pessimists insist that… prices will continue falling – perhaps as much as 20% or more.”
Plus, it’s not even the first time Buffett placed a bet on the U.S. housing recovery and lost. His predictions early last year were premature.
But this year, his premonitions just may be spot on. And there are five little-talked-about reasons why…
- Housing Recovery Fact #1: In May, more permits to build homes and apartments in the United States were requested than in the past three and a half years. And the U.S. Commerce Department also confessed that April was much better for housing starts than first thought – increasing figures to 744,000 from 717,000.
- Housing Recovery Fact #2: Earlier this week, the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University released a report revealing new home inventories are at record lows. This is important for housing’s rebound because declines in listed inventory lead to less pressure on falling home prices. In fact, it’s a big reason why average U.S. home prices actually edged higher the last two months.
- Housing Recovery Fact #3: So far, in 2012, U.S. employers added over one million jobs. As a result, the unemployment rate has dropped a full percentage point since August, from 9.1% to 8.2% today. And as this number heads lower, you can be sure the housing recovery will gain momentum.
- Housing Recovery Fact #4: Last week, mortgage rates hit their lowest number since offering long-term mortgages began in the 1950s. For potential homebuyers, figures like these are simply impossible to ignore. Plus, in many places paying a mortgage today is even cheaper than renting a home of the same size. (Although, always remember, you have to pay for everything that happens to your home when you own it.)
- Housing Recovery Fact #5: Peruse online and chat with industry professionals and you’ll see sentiment about the housing market is changing. Today major media outlets like MSN, The Economic Times and The Wall Street Journal are all reporting that right now is the time to buy a home. And it helps that investors like Buffett are backing them.
As the economy improves, bargain home prices and record-low mortgage rates will bring consumers back into the market and help home prices jump higher sooner than most people think.
This scenario is also set to benefit housing stocks, as well, many of which are down over 50% from their pre-crisis highs.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The highest level unit in the state of Florida is up for sale at The Penthouse of the Four Seasons Brickell for $13.5 Mill
If you want to live higher than anyone else in Florida, you’re going to have to shell out some big bucks for your view. The Four Seasons Tower in Brickell is the tallest skyscraper in the state of Florida and its three-story penthouse is on the market for $13.5 million.
Completed in 2003, the Four Seasons Tower is a multi-functional building that includes ten floors of office space, the Four Seasons Hotel and thirty floors of luxury condominiums. The building reaches a staggering 70 floors and is reinforced with dense steel and designed to withstand hurricane strength winds.
Previous owners of the impressive 70th floor penthouse had combined the PH units of B, C, and D to create the 6,000 square foot spacious overlook. The floor-to-ceiling windows reveal the entire city of Miami and views of an endless ocean—the definite selling point.
LVMH - Louis Vuitton/Moet open Hotel in St Tropez on the Place Des Lices
Designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the bar set in the mansion’s garden invites you to a festive break. The 82-seat bar offers the finest champagnes by the glass, including a rare vintage Moet from 1921.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
2013 Pagani Huayra
Pagani Automobili S.p.A, the Italian supercar manufacturer publicly introduced their all-new Huayra supercar to influential car enthusiasts prior to the well-known Concours d’Elegance as well as the Geneva Auto Show. The Huayra incorporates an innovative design, revolutionary mechanics, and houses a Mercedes-AMG engine with more than 700 horsepower. The vehicle has top speeds over 230 mph. The introductory price is $1,177,114 plus taxes. Also available in carbon fiber.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
The Kama Sashtra or Kama Sutra
In September of 2008 I walked into a room and with an elderly gentlemen. The person had gathered my intrigue as it would anyone. He had shown me objects he had dating as far back as 1800 B.C. The person had also spoke with the grandson of the President of India with me sitting in the room on speaker phone. Things people just don't have. The person walked into the other room. When he returned he had something in his hand that was wrapped in bubble wrap with leather bounds surrounding it. He sat it on the table and asked me to unwrap the packing. When I opened the packaging what I saw was one of the most sought after documents in history. The man possessed something known as the Kama Sutra. Widely distorted by popular society the Kama Sutra is a virtuous Hindu document that provides people with a manual to life, love and family. To people of Hindu belief it is a transcript giving to couples as a right of passage at the time of marriage. The most respected estimates place the age of the document itself as 2,186 years old. The item in it's entirety was numerous tablets. On one side there was text, on the other side there was illustration woven in gold. The significance of the document is almost unmeasurable. The majority of historians would site the document as one of the 10 most significant writings in the history of the world. To over 1,000,000,000 people marriage isn't considered official unless the receive a copy of the document. The nature of the element would not being in the country be on par if you saw on the news someone had taken The United States Constitution effectively. It is also considered an extreme breach of what is know as National Treasure Law. Meaning if the location of it was known the Government of that country can and will demand seizure of that document so knowing the location is something of extreme trust. There are only 4 people that have seen it in the last 100 years and a billion that feel it's misplacement constitutes a non sanctioned marriage. From a historical perspective there isn't much of a way to measure being able to see such a document. I am going to show it to you. It was actually located in a Harvard Professors Penthouse Condo. I think I told you a true story about that person once. What a world right? Here are the photo's of the actual Kama Sutra.
Beyone Knowles files for trademark for her daughters name
Trademark/Service Mark Application, Principal Register
| Serial Number: 85526099 |
| Filing Date: 01/26/2012 |
The table below presents the data as entered.
| SERIAL NUMBER | 85526099 |
|---|---|
| MARK INFORMATION | |
| *MARK | BLUE IVY CARTER |
| STANDARD CHARACTERS | YES |
| USPTO-GENERATED IMAGE | YES |
| LITERAL ELEMENT | BLUE IVY CARTER |
| MARK STATEMENT | The mark consists of standard characters, without claim to any particular font, style, size, or color. |
| REGISTER | Principal |
| APPLICANT INFORMATION | |
| *OWNER OF MARK | BGK Trademark Holdings, LLC |
| INTERNAL ADDRESS | c/o Reed Smith LLP |
| *STREET | 599 Lexington Avenue |
| *CITY | New York |
| *STATE (Required for U.S. applicants) | New York |
| *COUNTRY | United States |
| *ZIP/POSTAL CODE (Required for U.S. applicants only) | 10022 |
| PHONE | |
| FAX | 212-521-5450 |
| LEGAL ENTITY INFORMATION | |
| TYPE | limited liability company |
| STATE/COUNTRY WHERE LEGALLY ORGANIZED | Delaware |
| GOODS AND/OR SERVICES AND BASIS INFORMATION | |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 003 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Fragrances, cosmetics, skin care products, namely, non-medicated skin care preparations, non-medicated skin care creams and lotions, namely, body cream, hand cream, skin lotion, body lotions, skin moisturizers, skin emollient, skin cleansing creams, skin cleansing lotions, all for adults and infants; hair care products, namely, non-medicated hair care preparations, non-medicated hair gel, shampoo, conditioner, hair mousse, hair oils, hair pomades, hair spray |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 006 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Metal key chains and metal key rings |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 009 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | DVDs, CDs, and audio and visual sound recordings featuring musical performances; musical sound recordings; computer application software for mobile phones, portable media players, and handheld computers for use in downloading music, ring tones and video games; handheld and mobile digital electronic devices, namely, tablet PCs, cellular phones, laptops, portable media players, handheld computers; cases and covers for mobile phones and mobile digital electronic devices, namely, laptops, cell phones, radio pagers, mobile computers; downloadable web-based application software in the nature of a mobile application downloadable to handheld and mobile digital electronic devices for use in downloading music, ring tones and video games; decorative magnets, eyewear, eyeglass cases; computer bags; graduated glassware; hair accessories, namely, electric hair-curlers |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 012 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Baby carriages, baby strollers |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 014 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Key chains and key rings of precious metal; fine and costume jewelry, clocks and watches |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 016 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Books in the field of music, motion pictures, musical performers; photographs; posters; baby books; stickers; print materials, namely, art prints, color prints, concert programs, calendars, pens, post cards; gift bags; paper flags; trading cards; paper baby bibs |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 018 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Bags, namely, tote bags, beach bags, handbags, diaper bags, baby carriers worn on the body, pouch baby carriers, luggage; small leather goods, namely, leather cases, leather bags and wallets, leather purses, leather billfolds, leather key chains, leather key cases |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 020 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Plastic key chains and plastic key rings; small leather goods, namely, leather picture frames, leather key fobs, and leather key holders; plastic flags; vinyl banners, baby bouncers, baby changing mats, baby changing tables, high chairs for babies, playpens for babies |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 021 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Mugs; beverage glassware; plastic water bottles sold empty; hair accessories, namely, hair combs; baby bathtubs; drinking cups for babies |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 024 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Banners of cloth, nylon; flags, namely, cloth flags, nylon flags; towels; baby bedding, namely, bundle bags, swaddling blankets, crib bumpers, fitted crib sheets, crib skirts, crib blankets; baby blankets |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 025 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Clothing for adults, infants and toddlers, namely, shoes, shirts, pants, dresses, vest, undergarments, coats, jackets, shorts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweaters, blouses; clothing accessories, namely, belts, scarves, socks, gloves, earmuffs, hats, caps, tights, stockings, pantyhose, baby layettes for clothing, plastic baby bibs; footwear, headwear |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 026 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Hair accessories, namely, hair ties, hair scrunchies, barrettes, hair bands, hair bows, hair clips, hair pins, hair ribbons, ponytail holders; novelty button |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 028 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Playing cards, balls, namely, basketballs, baseballs, footballs, kick balls, rubber balls, beach balls, golf balls, hand balls, tennis balls, racquet balls, soccer balls, sport balls; dolls, baby multiple activity toys, baby rattles, baby teething rings, baby swings |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 035 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Product merchandising; online retail store services featuring music, musical recordings, motion pictures, clothing and accessories, novelty items; Entertainment marketing services, namely, marketing, promotion and advertising for recording and performing artists |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| INTERNATIONAL CLASS | 041 |
| *IDENTIFICATION | Entertainment services, namely, providing online video games, dance events by a recording artist, multimedia production services; Entertainment services in the nature of live musical performances; production of motion picture films, fan clubs |
| FILING BASIS | SECTION 1(b) |
| ATTORNEY INFORMATION | |
| NAME | Meredith D. Pikser |
| ATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER | 505185.20005 |
| FIRM NAME | Reed Smith LLP |
| STREET | 599 Lexington Avenue |
| CITY | New York |
| STATE | New York |
| COUNTRY | United States |
| ZIP/POSTAL CODE | 10022 |
| PHONE | |
| FAX | 212-521-5450 |
| EMAIL ADDRESS | mpikser@reedsmith.com |
| AUTHORIZED TO COMMUNICATE VIA EMAIL | Yes |
| OTHER APPOINTED ATTORNEY | Gregory S. Shatan |
| CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION | |
| NAME | Meredith D. Pikser |
| FIRM NAME | Reed Smith LLP |
| STREET | 599 Lexington Avenue |
| CITY | New York |
| STATE | New York |
| COUNTRY | United States |
| ZIP/POSTAL CODE | 10022 |
| PHONE | |
| FAX | 212-521-5450 |
| EMAIL ADDRESS | mpikser@reedsmith.com |
| AUTHORIZED TO COMMUNICATE VIA EMAIL | Yes |
| FEE INFORMATION | |
| NUMBER OF CLASSES | 15 |
| FEE PER CLASS | 325 |
| *TOTAL FEE DUE | 4875 |
| *TOTAL FEE PAID | 4875 |
| SIGNATURE INFORMATION | |
| SIGNATURE | /Beyoncé Knowles/ |
| SIGNATORY'S NAME | Beyoncé Knowles |
| SIGNATORY'S POSITION | Manager |
| DATE SIGNED | 01/26/2012 |
| PTO Form 1478 (Rev 9/2006) |
| OMB No. 0651-0009 (Exp 11/30/2008) |
Trademark/Service Mark Application, Principal Register
| Serial Number: 85526099 |
| Filing Date: 01/26/2012 |
To the Commissioner for Trademarks:
MARK: BLUE IVY CARTER (Standard Characters, see mark)The literal element of the mark consists of BLUE IVY CARTER.
The mark consists of standard characters, without claim to any particular font, style, size, or color.
The applicant, BGK Trademark Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company legally organized under the laws of Delaware, having an address of
c/o Reed Smith LLP,
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
United States
requests registration of the trademark/service mark identified above in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the Principal Register established by the Act of July 5, 1946 (15 U.S.C. Section 1051 et seq.), as amended, for the following:
International Class 003: Fragrances, cosmetics, skin care products, namely, non-medicated skin care preparations, non-medicated skin care creams and lotions, namely, body cream, hand cream, skin lotion, body lotions, skin moisturizers, skin emollient, skin cleansing creams, skin cleansing lotions, all for adults and infants; hair care products, namely, non-medicated hair care preparations, non-medicated hair gel, shampoo, conditioner, hair mousse, hair oils, hair pomades, hair spray
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 006: Metal key chains and metal key rings
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 009: DVDs, CDs, and audio and visual sound recordings featuring musical performances; musical sound recordings; computer application software for mobile phones, portable media players, and handheld computers for use in downloading music, ring tones and video games; handheld and mobile digital electronic devices, namely, tablet PCs, cellular phones, laptops, portable media players, handheld computers; cases and covers for mobile phones and mobile digital electronic devices, namely, laptops, cell phones, radio pagers, mobile computers; downloadable web-based application software in the nature of a mobile application downloadable to handheld and mobile digital electronic devices for use in downloading music, ring tones and video games; decorative magnets, eyewear, eyeglass cases; computer bags; graduated glassware; hair accessories, namely, electric hair-curlers
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 012: Baby carriages, baby strollers
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 014: Key chains and key rings of precious metal; fine and costume jewelry, clocks and watches
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 016: Books in the field of music, motion pictures, musical performers; photographs; posters; baby books; stickers; print materials, namely, art prints, color prints, concert programs, calendars, pens, post cards; gift bags; paper flags; trading cards; paper baby bibs
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 018: Bags, namely, tote bags, beach bags, handbags, diaper bags, baby carriers worn on the body, pouch baby carriers, luggage; small leather goods, namely, leather cases, leather bags and wallets, leather purses, leather billfolds, leather key chains, leather key cases
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 020: Plastic key chains and plastic key rings; small leather goods, namely, leather picture frames, leather key fobs, and leather key holders; plastic flags; vinyl banners, baby bouncers, baby changing mats, baby changing tables, high chairs for babies, playpens for babies
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 021: Mugs; beverage glassware; plastic water bottles sold empty; hair accessories, namely, hair combs; baby bathtubs; drinking cups for babies
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 024: Banners of cloth, nylon; flags, namely, cloth flags, nylon flags; towels; baby bedding, namely, bundle bags, swaddling blankets, crib bumpers, fitted crib sheets, crib skirts, crib blankets; baby blankets
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 025: Clothing for adults, infants and toddlers, namely, shoes, shirts, pants, dresses, vest, undergarments, coats, jackets, shorts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweaters, blouses; clothing accessories, namely, belts, scarves, socks, gloves, earmuffs, hats, caps, tights, stockings, pantyhose, baby layettes for clothing, plastic baby bibs; footwear, headwear
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 026: Hair accessories, namely, hair ties, hair scrunchies, barrettes, hair bands, hair bows, hair clips, hair pins, hair ribbons, ponytail holders; novelty button
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 028: Playing cards, balls, namely, basketballs, baseballs, footballs, kick balls, rubber balls, beach balls, golf balls, hand balls, tennis balls, racquet balls, soccer balls, sport balls; dolls, baby multiple activity toys, baby rattles, baby teething rings, baby swings
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 035: Product merchandising; online retail store services featuring music, musical recordings, motion pictures, clothing and accessories, novelty items; Entertainment marketing services, namely, marketing, promotion and advertising for recording and performing artists
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
International Class 041: Entertainment services, namely, providing online video games, dance events by a recording artist, multimedia production services; Entertainment services in the nature of live musical performances; production of motion picture films, fan clubs
Intent to Use: The applicant has a bona fide intention to use or use through the applicant's related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services. (15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b)).
The applicant's current Attorney Information:
Meredith D. Pikser and Gregory S. Shatan of Reed Smith LLP
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
United States
The attorney docket/reference number is 505185.20005.
| The applicant's current Correspondence Information: |
| Meredith D. Pikser |
| Reed Smith LLP |
| 599 Lexington Avenue |
| New York, New York 10022 |
| (phone) |
| 212-521-5450(fax) |
| mpikser@reedsmith.com (authorized) |
A fee payment in the amount of $4875 has been submitted with the application, representing payment for 15 class(es).
The undersigned, being hereby warned that willful false statements and the like so made are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under 18 U.S.C. Section 1001, and that such willful false statements, and the like, may jeopardize the validity of the application or any resulting registration, declares that he/she is properly authorized to execute this application on behalf of the applicant; he/she believes the applicant to be the owner of the trademark/service mark sought to be registered, or, if the application is being filed under 15 U.S.C. Section 1051(b), he/she believes applicant to be entitled to use such mark in commerce; to the best of his/her knowledge and belief no other person, firm, corporation, or association has the right to use the mark in commerce, either in the identical form thereof or in such near resemblance thereto as to be likely, when used on or in connection with the goods/services of such other person, to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive; and that all statements made of his/her own knowledge are true; and that all statements made on information and belief are believed to be true.
Signature: /Beyoncé Knowles/ Date Signed: 01/26/2012
Signatory's Name: Beyoncé Knowles
Signatory's Position: Manager
RAM Sale Number: 1972
RAM Accounting Date: 01/27/2012
Serial Number: 85526099
Internet Transmission Date: Thu Jan 26 15:21:33 EST 2012
TEAS Stamp: USPTO/BAS-67.109.84.5-201201261521334086
77-85526099-4908a14581f218ced49a2c419d53
9d5541-CC-1972-20120126150542244871
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