Like looking in a mirror

 Nikola, a hydrogen-electric truck startup, is suing Tesla for $2B over patent infringement. [The Hustle]( Thur, May 3 Brought to you by [Death Wish Coffee]( murder your Monday. Nikola v. Tesla: Musk’s company sued for $2B by hydrogen truck startup Nikola motors P[roduction issues]( of its new Model 3, controversy over a [fatal autopilot car crash]( getting trade secrets [stolen]( by ol’ Anthony “sticky fingers” Levandowski... there’s always some kind of drama brewin’ at Tesla. Now, you can add a [$2B]( lawsuit to the fray. Tuesday, [Nikola Motor Company]( filed a lawsuit in Arizona alleging Tesla copied their patents when creating its electric semi truck -- and Nikola wants to be compensated. So what’s their proof? Founded in 2014, Nikola took off with whatever the all-electric version of a Fast and the Furious NOS boost would be, presenting its first two products in two years: an electric 4-wheel offroadster and a hydrogen-electric semi truck. The complaint lays out a laundry list of [claims]( that, according to Nikola, capture a timeline proving that Tesla aped their patents -- and it recalls a Tesla recruiter’s attempt to poach Nikola’s chief engineer mere months after the startup released its truck. Nikola also lists various cosmetic similarities between Tesla’s semi and theirs -- including its distinctive wraparound windshields and aerodynamic fuselage. Coincidence? They think not The companies obviously have odd similarities, starting with the fact that together their names round out the nod to the famous inventor Nikola Tesla (Tesla, in fairness, was founded 11 years earlier). But Nikola believes patent stealing is going too far, claiming that Tesla’s truck is causing “confusion in the market,” harming their ability to attract investors and partners. Because, well, why wouldn’t investors go with Tesla? Deny, deny, deny Tesla denies the claims, telling [the Verge]( “it’s patently obvious there is no merit to this lawsuit.” -- Ok, we see what you did there. But Nikola believes the lawsuit’s proof speaks for itself. -- Ouch, Tesla clowns you with a patent joke, and that’s all you got? The chicken or the Tesla  Birchbox invaded by Vikings, leaving investors empty-handed Recode reports that Birchbox’s investor, Viking Global -- who led Birchbox’s last [$60m funding round]( in 2014 -- will buy out its other existing VC investors with a new, [$15m investment]( in the OG subscription beauty box. That also means Birchbox’s other investors are walking away with nothing to show for the collective millions they’ve poured into the company to date. The ‘For Sale’ sign’s been on the lawn for a while now The 8-year-old company, worth nearly $500m at its peak, has been for sale since last summer, reportedly in acquisitions with retailers like Walmart. (Most, recently, Birchbox was courting QVC in what Recode’s sources say would’ve been a fire sale). Unfortunately for Birchbox, none of these talks materialized, and the company is left to dig themselves out of “tens of millions of dollars in debt.” Another case of the trailblazer getting trailblazed Since launching in 2010, they’ve faced an influx of look-alike beauty boxes from competitors like BoxyCharm, Ipsy, Julep, and Sephora, to name just a few. How do you know a market is saturated? When you see an article like, “[33 Best Makeup and Beauty Monthly Subscription Boxes for 2018]( [Glad we’re being selective](  AI Superlatives: Here’s what’s happening in the global race for AI supremacy When it comes to AI, the United States and China are most likely to succeed (in terms of startup funding, at least). Chinese startups received [48% of the world’s AI startup funding]( in 2017 (compared to the US’s 38%), though the States hosts a larger number of ventures. But there are LOTS of other [countries in the race]( and they’re putting up some big droid money to keep things interesting. Most likely to improve: Brazil Analysts believe AI will add significant growth to Brazil’s economy by 2035, bringing in an additional [$432B](. The largest contribution may be in the “capital augmentation” sector (AKA, banking), where Brazilian banks are [particularly bullish]( on AI in their future operations. Most unique: France Parlez-vous AI? The French do, and according to President Macron’s [announcement]( in March, the government will invest $1.8B in AI research until 2022, with a niche focus of making private companies publicly release their data for use in AI on a “case-by-case basis.” Most likely to start a war: Russia What, your high school didn’t have that award? Putin once ominously predicted that the leader in AI will “rule the world,” and Russia’s investment focus seems to lean heavily in the “global domination” direction. According to Quartz, Russia spends an estimated $12.5m a year on AI, and many of their products are “military in nature,” like [AI-assisted fighter jets]( and automated artillery. [Most likely to befriend a robot](  Hobby Lobby returns the 3.8k artifacts it ‘accidentally’ stole from Iraq After coughing up a $3m penalty for smuggling thousands of black market artifacts into the US last year, Hobby Lobby is finally [returning]( its loot. Steve Green, the owner of the craft-supply store, used Hobby Lobby to “accidentally” smuggle 3.8k relics out of Iraq last year to fill his [Museum of the Bible](. It ain’t easy for yarn-sellers to hop into the criminal underworld The Lobby (whose [$4.3B]( in revenue makes it one of the 100 largest private US companies) [claimed]( it “should have exercised more oversight,” but they were “new to the world of acquiring these items, and did not fully appreciate the complexities.” Here’s a rule of thumb: When you [wire money]( to 5 people at 7 accounts and receive a FedEx package of “clay tiles” containing your multimillion-dollar purchase -- it’s probably time for “more oversight.” But, whether the Hob-Lobbers were crafty geniuses or just dummies, they had no trouble finding sellers to slice off someone else’s heritage. Green seems unfazed “Our passion for the Bible continues,” he [said](. “We will do all that we can to support the efforts to conserve items that will help illuminate and enhance our understanding of this Great Book.” Even without the 3.8k items returned, the museum is [filled]( with 40k other Biblical artifacts worth $800m. It’s open -- [even on Sundays](. [Can I get an AMEN](   things you should... SINK: A 3-pointer alongside Curry with Steph-IQ, FREE Imagine HQ -- but with a cooler, more coordinated host. Created specifically for the NBA playoffs, this live trivia game starts when Steph scores his first 3-pointer in a Warriors game. Winner takes home cash prizes and the coveted Curry 5 Sneakers. [STEPH GO SPLASH, YOU GET CASH →]( STARE: Into VR’s future with an Oculus Go Headset, $199 Finally, a VR headset you don’t have to sell a kidney to afford! This bad boy comes with all the hardware you need for games, videos and apps -- unlike the Go’s older cousin Rift (which will set you back about $400). [LOOK DUMB, FEEL COOL →]( SMACK: This bluetooth typewriter keyboard by Qwerkytoys, $299 Lindsey here -- I got this typewriter-inspired keyboard as a gift, and it’s totally won me over. The mechanical keys are clack-a-lackin, and you can program up to 15 characters into the return bar, so you can shoot back phrases like “them’s the facts,” with a single flick. [THAT'S MY CATCHPHRASE →]( DIP: Your wrist in bronze with MVMT’s latest release, starting at $110 Bronze is the new black. Pairing the rich natural elements of Nordic design with the polished elegance of an uptown penthouse, MVMT’s new Bronze Age Collection dropped right in time to refine your summer. [BRING BRONZE BACK →]( SMILE: ‘Cuz you have Sam Hubbs on your feet, starting at $210 Looking boardroom-ready shouldn’t be painful. Samuel Hubbard built upon 88 years of cobbling heritage to create “The Un-Sneaker” -- a dress shoe you can jog in. Using high-quality leathers, proprietary foams, and the wisdom of an old-timey Boston cobbler, they’ll keep you comfy (and classy) all day long. [CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOLE →]( This edition of The Hustle was brought to you by Tired? Here’s your Death Wish One sip and you’re hooked. If you love the weekly grind, you need coffee that jolts your mind, body, and soul like the lever in Frankenstein -- “IT’S ALIVE.” It’s time to throw away the gallon of Folgers collecting dust in your cupboard. Dive into a new world of [hot caffeinated love sauce](. [Death Wish Coffee]( it’ll wake you the f**k up Known as the world’s strongest coffee and an Amazon bestseller, Death Wish prides itself on delivering customers dark, bold blends of fresh, organic, fair-trade joe. Their smooth, never-bitter taste and subtle notes of cherry and chocolate rise to the top with each sip, taking you from 0 to 60 in [8oz or less]( And the best part? If you’re not 100% feeling the fire, [you’ll get your money back]( -- but trust us, if you’re looking for a death wish to feel alive, consider it granted.  0 [SHARE THE HUSTLE]( REFERRALS [ YOUR UNIQUE URL Zack Crockett NEWS WRITER Wes Schlagenhauf NEWS WRITER Conor Grant NEWS WRITER Kolby Hatch AD WRITER [Lindsey “Peace to all robots” Quinn]( MANAGING EDITOR Ulanda U. Lucky Air Traffic Controller [SUBSCRIBE]( [JOBS]( [ADVERTISE]( [EVENTS]( [SHOP]( [Join our Facebook community →]( You opted in by signing up, attending an event, or through divine intervention. [771 CLEMENTINA STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103, UNITED STATES]( • [415.506.7210](tel:+1-415-506-7210) Never wanna hear from us again? Break our hearts and [unsubscribe](