There have already been failed projects (with controversy) and we'll continue to see this increase in line with the increase in volume of deals. I haven't heard of any outright scams but I'm sure they're either in progress or coming soon.
(IANAL)
I also expect to see lawsuits in the near future, possibly with government investigation into Kickstarter resulting in changes to required project terms. Very few projects have clear legalese defining what your money will be used for and any (or no) guarantees. I bet the percentage of people running projects that consult with an attorney beforehand is in the single digits. This will inevitably lead to legal issues.
When you fund a project you're generally pre-purchasing. Pre-purchases are a legal obligation to the company. If they don't deliver they have to return your money. Very few people running projects realize this. Clearly stating no guarantees in the project description may get around this but then again, possibly not.
If you're going to run a Kickstarter project speak with an attorney and make sure you have a solid business plan with all expenses calculated, including Kickstarter's cut and tax obligations.
(IANAL)
I also expect to see lawsuits in the near future, possibly with government investigation into Kickstarter resulting in changes to required project terms. Very few projects have clear legalese defining what your money will be used for and any (or no) guarantees. I bet the percentage of people running projects that consult with an attorney beforehand is in the single digits. This will inevitably lead to legal issues.
When you fund a project you're generally pre-purchasing. Pre-purchases are a legal obligation to the company. If they don't deliver they have to return your money. Very few people running projects realize this. Clearly stating no guarantees in the project description may get around this but then again, possibly not.
If you're going to run a Kickstarter project speak with an attorney and make sure you have a solid business plan with all expenses calculated, including Kickstarter's cut and tax obligations.