The thing is, it's simply a lie. The idea that the law doesn't cover these "innovative" and "disruptive" business models is an illusion. Uber, AirBnB, Kickstar

The thing is, it's simply a lie. The idea that the law doesn't cover these "innovative" and "disruptive" business models is an illusion. Uber, AirBnB, Kickstarter etcetera, they're not doing anything fundamentally new, they've just added a new coat of paint to a very old business model. A business model that is in most cases already clearly regulated (especially outside the US), and, especially in the case of Uber, these companies are deliberately flouting these laws and regulations. There is however a major difference in how these companies handle the problem. AirBnB constructively works with regulators to adapt both rules and its business practices. Uber treats the law with less respect than the Russian mob and thinks it can bully governments into surrendering consumer and labor protections. Kickstarter is mostly known for sticking its head in the sand an hoping things will blow over. But in all cases, the law tends to cover exploiting, profiting from, soliciting and provoking illegal activity as well as the scams themselves. These companies do not operate in a legal vacuum, other than the Silicon Vally echo chamber.