DMCA Copyright Takedown Notice #2

I've now received a DMCA takedown notice for Randy Haugen's explanation of how Amway went down the tubes. I'm beginning to wonder if Amway is sending me these to try to scrub the internet. Anyway, here is the text of the DMCA takedown notice:

Hello,

Blogger has been notified, according to the terms of the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), that content in your blog:

http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com

allegedly infringes upon the copyrights of others. The content in question
is located in the following posts:

http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com/2007/09/team-resigned-double-diamond-randy.html

The notice that we received, with any personally identifying
information removed, will be posted online by a service called Chilling
Effects at http://www.chillingeffects.org/notice.cgi?sID=10753. We do
this in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Please note that it may take Chilling Effects up to several weeks to post
the notice online at the link provided.

The DMCA is a United States copyright law that provides guidelines for
online service provider liability in case of copyright infringement.
Please see http://www.educause.edu/Browse/645?PARENT_ID=254 for more
information about the DMCA, and see
http://www.google.com/blogger_dmca.html for the process that Blogger
requires in order to make a DMCA complaint.

We are asking that you please remove the allegedly infringing content in
your blog. If you do not do this within the next 3 days (by 4/24/09), we
will be forced to remove the posts in question. If we did not do so, we
would be subject to a claim of copyright infringement, regardless of its
merits.

We can reinstate this content into your blog upon receipt of a counter
notification pursuant to sections 512(g)(2) and (3) of
the DMCA. For more information about the requirements of a counter
notification and a link to a sample counter notification, see
http://www.google.com/blogger_dmca.html#counter.

Please note that repeated violations to our Terms of Service may result in
further remedial action taken against your Blogger account.

If you have legal questions about this notification, you should retain
your own legal counsel. If you have any other questions about this
notification, please let us know.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,
The Blogger Team

DMCA Copyright Takedown Notice

I just received a DMCA takedown notice for several posts either by Ron Simmons, on Ron Simmons site, or in one case just about Ron Simmons. Apparently Mr. Simmons is trying to clean up what he has said.

Blogger has been notified, according to the terms of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), that certain content in your blog infringes upon the copyrights of others. The URL(s) of the allegedly infringing post(s) may be found at the end of this message.

The notice that we received, with any personally identifying
information removed, will be posted online by a service called Chilling
Effects at http://www.chillingeffects.org/notice.cgi?sID=10292. We do this in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Please note that it may take Chilling Effects up to several weeks to post the notice online at the link provided.

The DMCA is a United States copyright law that provides guidelines for
online service provider liability in case of copyright infringement.
Please see http://www.educause.edu/Browse/645?PARENT_ID=254 for more information about the DMCA, and see http://www.google.com/blogger_dmca.html for the process that Blogger requires in order to make a DMCA complaint.

We are asking that you please remove the allegedly infringing content in
your blog. If you do not do this within the next 3 days (by 3/28/09), we will be forced to remove the posts in question. If we did not do so, we would be subject to a claim of copyright infringement, regardless of its merits.

Blogger can reinstate these posts upon receipt of a counter notification pursuant to sections 512(g)(2) and 3) of the DMCA. For more information about the requirements of a counter notification and a link to a sample counter notification, see http://www.google.com/dmca.html#counter.
I just received the following takedown notice for several post either by Ron Simmons, or on Ron Simmons site, or in one case just mentioning Ron Simmons. Apparently Ron Simmons is trying to clean up his name online.

Here is the notice:

Please note that repeated violations to our Terms of Service may result in further remedial action taken against your Blogger account. If you have legal questions about this notification, you should retain your own legal counsel. If you have any other questions about this notification, please let us know.

Sincerely,

The Blogger Team

Affected URLs:

http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com/2007/12/team-ron-simmons-overall-update.html
http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com/2007/10/team-ron-simmons-legal-update-october.html
http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com/2008/02/team-ron-simmons-february-2008-update.html
http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com/2008/01/team-ron-simmons.html
http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com/2007/11/team-rules-rules-rules.html
http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com/2007/09/team-randy-and-don-respond-to-lawsuit.html
http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com/2007/09/team-ron-simmons-sets-record-straight.html
http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com/2007/08/team-setting-record-straight.html

Interesting what's going on

While this blog references Quixtar and Amway quite a bit, it turns out that people who find this site are searching for the following:

1.	randy haugen	66
2.	team monavie	30
3.	bill newton	19
4.	brig hart	16
5.	fred harteis	15
6.	brig hart lawsuit	9
7.	george guzzardo	9
8.	don wilson amway	8
9.	monavie team	8
10.	randy haugen quixtar	8

The majority of the people who found this site were looking for information on Randy Haugen. My guess is he is showing a lot of MonaVie™ plans (as well as his team). Next up is Team MonaVie™ (which is how it is referenced in the opens now). Followed by other big leaders. Other leaders that lead to this site with a google search are (in order of searches): Billy Florence, Kirk Birtles, Tim and Amy Marks, Don and Ruth Storms, Brig Hart, Mark and Tammy Crawford, Bill and Jackie Lewis, Fred Harteis, Aaron Radosa, Bill Hawkings, Matt Abraham and Robert Dickie.

There are a lot of variations on Randy Haugen also.

Even though I have not been adding content for at least half a year, December had 846 people visit the site, mostly from the United States, but a good chunk from Canada and the UK. The top-ten states visited from are: California, Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Utah, Georgia and Ohio (with California and Michigan each being twice as much as any others). California is mainly the Bay Area, LA Area, San Diego and Hisperia (of all places). Michigan is mainly Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids (wonder who that could be). Florida is mainly Jacksonville, Ft. Myers and all along the south-east coast. Illinois is basically Chicago. Texas is Dallas, Houston and Austin.

I think this gives us an idea as to where Randy Haugen is growing his business.

Of the people who have visited since April, about a quarter of them visited the site more than 10 times.

The website that has referred the most people to this site (besides google) has been theiborebellion.blogspot.com followed closely by freetheiboblog.typepad.com.

Anyway, I hadn't been here in a while and thought I'd see who was visiting. Have a great day. Have Fun, Make Money, Make a Difference and Drink It, Feel It and Share It.

Free At Last, Free At Last, Thank The Almighty, I'm Free At Last

Today is my last day of the 6-month rule. While I am still under the 2-year rule, it appears that I am free to do whatever I want, just not with whoever I want. That's fine. With counsel from my mentor, and my lawyer, I believe that I am finally out from under Quixtar.

I hope you have enjoyed this blog. Today also marks my last day of following any news about Quixtar, Amway, Alticore, etc. I am closing that chapter in my life. This blog is part of that chapter. I have tried to leave some balanced information about the struggle Team has faced. I cannot say it was not a biased documentary, but I hope that the information here shows the public dialog that surrounded the whole incident.

I hold no malice towards Quixtar, Amway, Alticore or anyone associated with them (including their Amway Business Operators). I have come to a place of peace with the situation. I know there are others who still struggle (legally and otherwise) with "The Corporation," and I wish them good luck.

I leave this site as an internet memorial to what has happened. I hope it helps someone find truth in their life. I hope it serves as a thorn (albeit small) in Alticore that serves as a mechanism for improvement for them. If they do not improve, then I fear that one of the great American Success stories dies in the second generation (as we see in "The Millionaire Next Door").

I do hope Amway can be a success, although I will not be a part of it. When I learned of the origin of the name (shortened from The American Way), I became rather proud of its heritage. I'm sure Jody Victor, as a son of founders of "The Corporation," feels that pride. I hope this whole issue can help strengthen them.

For me, I have other roads that diverge from theirs. With what I have learned from Team, I am starting a new venture that I have wanted to start since before I had children. I am also moving forward with Mona Vie, and my relationship with my mentor.

I wish you all well. I hope you learn from your struggles (and not just the obvious ones we've discussed here), grow and become better, no matter which company you have decided to invest your future in.

Good luck and farewell.

- Thomas Evan Anthony Morris

TEAM: Quixtar Legal Defense Update

Original Source

Quixtar Legal Defense Update

by Orrin Woodward on Sun 16 Mar 2008 10:57 AM EDT
I posted an update on the Quixtar Legal Defense Fund article. I do not receive a penny of support from the Legal Defense Fund and instead have attempted to give liberally to support others under attack. I support the fund to help anyone who is being threatened with litigation by Amway/Quixtar. I can and will support my own legal battles, but believe Quixtar should not threaten others that do not have the means to defend themselves. The Quixtar Legal Defense Fund supports all the people that Quixtar may choose to legally threaten and intimidate. I strongly believe right makes might and it would be a shame to have people back down from the truth because they do not have the means to defend themselves. This is why I posted the original article and am very proud of the response by so many people! Many people have sat out there six months and can now turn a new page in their life. If they are threatened by Amway/Quixtar they will have the security of knowing the Legal Defense Fund will be there for them! I never dreamed by signing people up as "independent" business people that they were placed in harms way and feel I am bound to help in anyway I can. I hope this helps in clarifying the purpose for my post on the Legal Defense Fund. God Bless, Orrin Woodward

TEAM: Fixing Quixtar - Amway in North America

Original Source

Fixing Quixtar - Amway in North America

Critics often get criticized for being negative or not offering solutions so I thought I would take some time to offer a (partial) solution for Amway/Quixtar in North America.

Here are what I see as the biggest issues with Quixtar/Amway in North America (not in any order):

1. Outdated Compensation
2. Poor Reputation
3. Lack of Product Focus
4. High Prices

Now for my solution:

1. Break up Amway - Quixtar (North America) into four new Network Marketing companies:

XS Energy
Artistry
Nutrilite
Amway
This actually helps solve three of the four major issues, lack of product focus, reputation and compensation. Each product focused company could come out with an updated compensation plan with a focus on balance and the best reward strategy for the product line.

It is should be no secret that the fastest growing companies in Network Marketing over the last five years have been single product or narrow product line focused (such as weight loss). Narrowing the product focus strips away confusion and allows the unique products to shine.

The reputation will be helped by the renewed focus on products and less focus on the "2-5 year plan".

2. Reduce prices and get PV/BV back to a reasonable level ($3 to 1PV is not reasonable). The PV/BV situation overlaps with compensation but it is also needs to be mentioned with pricing. You can't drop the prices by 30% and then drop the PV/BV associates with the products by 50% and claim to now magically have competitive pricing.

Just get reasonable here. Mercedes has proven that you don't have to be the cheapest to be successful, but there is a line where the average consumer will say: "I don't care how good you say (the product) is, I'm not paying that much for (fill in the blank - Amway Product).

3. Update the compensation plan for the 21st century. Adding $60 million in new bonuses and then making them twice as hard to achieve is not updating the plan. Add some money for the newest growing associate. The IBOAI propaganda is suggesting that Quixtar/Amway now has the best compensation plan in the industry.

Uh, yeah. If I was driving a car from 1959 and claimed that it got better gas mileage than a 2008 hybrid, you would laugh at me. In the same manner, people that understand compensation plans within the industry are laughing at the IBOAI.

Lastly, this breakup would help address the core of the reputation problem by nullifying the power of the IBOAI, who haven't really represented the newest IBO in decades.

March 13, 2008

TEAM: CALL TO ACTION IN MISSOURI

Original Source

CALL TO ACTION IN MISSOURI
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The IBO Rebellion has received a great deal of e-mail regarding Quixtar's latest game of non-fee renewals in order to further trap IBOs. This is obviously yet another ploy to extend their shameful contract provisions. I received the following email which calls for the beginning of a letter writing campaign. It was suggested that the most effective way to have your voice heard was to both e-mail and snail mail your letter to the representative and follow that up with a telephone call. If you feel compelled to stand up and be counted please do so. Here is the letter I received which was written to all of you.

It’s time to let your voice be heard. Contrary to what Quixtar’s blogger thinks, this is not about spinning stories or spreading rumors. This is now about corporate bullying and an out of control company who is intent on destroying anyone who disagrees with them. They have everyone bound in an arbitration agreement that several Judge’s have declared unconscionable. Yet they continue to use this unfair arbitration agreement to harass, bully and intimidate anyone who tries to voice an opinion.

It’s time for criminal investigations now. There are many elected officials around the country who are aware of some of the unethical actions of Quixtar/Amway. But most of these officials have no idea how many people are being affected by these actions. It’s time to start a letter-writing campaign to make sure elected officials know we are counting on them to take action.

A few places to write are to your personal state legislators, the FTC, the Better Business Bureau and your state’s Attorney General. However, there is now quite a bit of interest in this case moving to a higher level in the state of Missouri. Every letter you write helps to urge officials to move these investigations along at a faster pace.

Make sure you point out that Quixtar claims you would not be allowed to contact your own personal family and friends for any new business venture because Quixtar claims them as their “property” for 2 years after you resign. Point out that it was your connection that led them to Quixtar, not Quixtar that led them to you. Therefore, this restriction of free enterprise should be declared illegal. Make sure you tell them Quixtar's non-compete clause would require you to leave the continent in order to compete. It's shockingly broad language must end.

Make sure you point out if you have had any bonuses withheld, had your resignation delayed (in an attempt to delay the 6 month inactivity clause). Make sure you point out that Quixtar needs to be investigated for knowingly promoting an overpriced illegal pyramid. Make sure you point out the unconscionable arbitration clause which you are currently bound to. Make sure you mention about Quixtar abusing their arbitration agreement to violate our first amendment right to freedom of speech.

To start things off, the first letter needs to be written immediately to:

The Honorable Jim Lembke
MO House of Representatives
201 West Capitol Ave
Room 303A
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Phone: 573-751-2315

Email: Jim.Lembke@house.mo.gov
Anyone in the state of Missouri is urged to write to Mr. Lembke and urge him to help speed up investigations into Quixtar/Amway. If you are in his District, that’s a huge plus. However, as a state representative he represents everyone in the state of Missouri.

All that needs to happen for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Make your voice be heard. Start writing those letters today and tell anyone you know to start writing letters. I will provide you with the next address on Friday.




There you have it folks. The message is clear. Email, snail mail, and follow up telephone call. I will keep you posted with any developments.