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Michael Jordan's 'Flu Game' Air Jordan's, Will fund-of-funds open the door to early-stage deals?, and Shopify vs. Patent Trolls: Defending Entrepreneurs and Innovation

Social Leverage Letter | Issue #93

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Michael Jordan's iconic "Flu Game" Air Jordan sneakers are set to be auctioned off with an estimated price tag of over $1 million. The shoes, which Jordan wore during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, are considered to be one of the most valuable pieces of sports memorabilia in the world. The auction underscores the growing popularity of sneakers as an alternative asset class, with prices for authenticated sports memorabilia skyrocketing in recent years. Rally Rd (Fund III) has seen this within their sports collection.

As the venture capital market has matured, competition for early-stage deals has intensified. By investing in FoFs, investors can gain exposure to a wider range of early-stage companies than they would be able to if they invested directly in individual companies. This strategy can be a good way for investors to diversify their exposure to the broader VC market.

In 2017, Shopify was sued by a patent troll called Retail Data Systems (RDS). RDS claimed that Shopify was infringing on its patent for a "method and system for providing a web-based shopping cart". Shopify denied infringing on RDS's patent and argued that the patent was invalid - the jury later favored with them. This was a major victory for Shopify and showed that even large and powerful patent trolls can be defeated when they try to stifle innovation.

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Affiliate Disclosure: Social Leverage Group, LLC ("SLG"), Social Leverage Capital Fund I, LP ("SLC"), Social Leverage Capital Fund II, LP ("SLCII"), Social Leverage Capital Fund III, LP ("SLCIII") and Social Leverage Capital Fund IV, LP ("SLCIV") are all distinct entities from Social Leverage, LLC ("SL"). Social Leverage is not a registered investment advisor. SLC, SLCII, SLCIII, SLCIV, SLG and SL have used the logo and branding of Social Leverage with the permission of Social Leverage Group, LLC.