In accordance with the Quixtar Corporation rules and conduct Zero Tolerance
Policy adopted in July of 1999 and detailed in BULLETIN NO. 17
INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OWNER'S WEB SITES
Web sites that are operated by IBOs that are found to be in violation of these rules face an immediate suspension for six months. The corporation has reported that as of 11-21-99 over 1,000 IBOs have already been identified as violating these rules and have been suspended.
Violations of these rules may be reported to:
Mr. Trey Bruneau Rules Administrator Business Conduct and Rules at:
Trey_Bruneau@quixtar.com or to the Quixtar headquarters at: abuse@quixtar.com
The following is a small review of 20 key points issued in Bulletin 17. This Bulletin should be referred to in its entirety for accuracy.
Any IBO that;
1) Does not state that the web site has been "content reviewed" by the corporation.
2) Uses the corporation logo or trademark without stating the site has been "content reviewed" by the corporation.
3) Uses the corporation trademark (name) or variation in a Meta tag or any other web site locator. Meta Tags of any kind, IBO personal home pages shall not be searchable on any web search engine.
4) Uses the corporation trademark (name) or variation in the URL of the web site.
5) Uses web URLs or e-mail addresses that are deceptive or misleading (e.g., Ezmoney.com, Retirenow@USA.com, Nosellingrequired.com).
6) Send unsolicited e-mails (spamming) to individuals that they have no pre-existing relationship with.
7) Web sites that contain any income representation or sales plan depictions.
8) Features any hyper links other than official corporate web sites, IBO association international, an authorized line of sponsorship web site.
9) Makes any guarantee of success.
10) Is not pass code protected.
11) Disseminating the pass code and URL address prior to receiving final authorization from the corporations content review process.
12) Any depiction or representation of the IBO plan.
13) Presentation or offering of non-corporate products or business materials.
14) Presentation or sale of prospecting or IBO Plan training materials.
15) Any site that states or implies that that one can build a successful business solely by sponsoring other IBOs or otherwise de-emphasizing product sales.
16) Offers sales of any corporate product without prior content review by the corporation.
17) Posting of an IBO number that would provide a casual web viewer access.
18) Any web site that broadcasts, posts or mass communicates to the public or segment thereof an IBO number or pass code.
19) Any site that sells products outside the United States or Canada.
20) Any personal IBO site that presents or sells business support materials.
Also note. The Quixtar corporation has filed sworn statements to the auction web site E-Bay informing them that auction sales that use the word "Quixtar" is an infringement of their copyright or trademark protection. Numerous auctions have been closed due to this action but new auctions continue to be listed. The corporation has also stated that the will address the use of the word "Amway" as well. Any auction found on this or any other auction site using these words in the description of items for auction / sale should be reported to Mr. Trey Bruneau for his immediate action.
INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OWNERS' WEB SITES
I. Personal Home Page (PHP) Requirements
II. Prospecting Web Site Requirements
The Internet has developed in recent years into a mainstream network of commerce and communications, offering business people unlimited potential to conduct transactions and network with others with speed and convenience that could not have been imagined a few years ago. To enable IBOs to take advantage of the explosion of opportunities on the Internet, the Corporation has developed the following requirements for IBOs wishing to communicate with prospects, potential members, and customers using this technology.
All content must be reviewed and authorized in accordance with the Rules of Conduct. Under the Corporation's Zero Tolerance Policy, adopted in July of 1999, IBOs who post unauthorized Web sites (sites that have not been content reviewed and received final authorization) face an immediate suspension for a period of six (6) months.
In general, there are three types of Web sites that an IBO is permitted to create: (1) a personal home page (PHP); (2) a prospecting Web site; or (3) a product sales Web site. The particular rules under which an IBO may create and operate one of these Web sites are outlined below. Additional information is available from BSM Administration for LOS Web sites and other hybrid sites. However, in general, all IBO Web sites must comply with the following:
1) All IBO Web sites must comply with the Rules of Conduct. IBOs desiring to create a Web site should review the Rules of Conduct for IBOs, paying particular attention to the following:
a) Rules 4.3.2 and 8.3.11 (Mass Mailings) - Prohibits any type of mass communication designed to obtain IBOs, members, clients, or sales.
b) Rule 9.8 (IBO Advertising) - Prohibits IBOs from advertising to sell products or offer the business opportunity in any means where the person-to-person nature of the business is not present.
c) Rule 4.23 (Unsolicited E-mail Messages) - Prohibits IBOs from sending, transmitting, or otherwise communicating any unsolicited e-mail message to aperson or persons with whom the IBO does not have a pre-existing personal or business relationship.
d) Rule 4.27 (Privacy and Confidentiality) - Requires IBOs to comply with the Corporation's privacy and confidentiality policies.
e) Rule 7 (Business Support Materials) - Requires BSM, including Internet sites, used with prospects, or that contain a presentation, explanation, or illustration of the IBO Plan or product information to be reviewed by the Corporation prior to use.
f) Rule 9 (Trade names, Trademarks and Copyrights) - Requires permission to use the Corporation's trade names, trademarks, or copyrights.
2) The content of all IBO Web sites must be reviewed by the Corporation prior to posting on the Internet and in accordance with any applicable corporate guidelines.
3) Under no circumstances may an IBO use Corporate trademarks or servicemarks, or any variation likely to cause confusion with a Corporate trademarkor service mark, in their Web address or e-mail address (e.g.,Quickstarit.com, BuyLOC@quixnet.net, Quixtar4u.com).
4) Likewise, under no circumstances may an IBO use Corporate trademark orservice marks, or any variation likely to cause confusion with a Corporate trademark or service mark, in a meta tag or other Web site locator.
5) Web addresses and e-mail addresses must not be deceptive or misleading or violate the Rules of Conduct (e.g., EZmoney.com, Retirenow@USA.com, Nosellingrequired.com).
6) The sending of unsolicited e-mails to individuals with whom you do not have a pre-existing relationship-"spamming"-is strictly prohibited. See Rule 4.23 of the IBO Rules of Conduct and Bulletin #22.
7) Web sites may not contain any income representations or sales plan depictions and may not misrepresent the business opportunity. IBOs should keep in mind that nothing on the Internet is 100 percent secure, and should take the utmost precautions when handling sensitive customer information such as names, addresses, and credit card numbers. IBOs are also required to abide by the terms and conditions of any privacy statement posted on the Web site.
I. Personal Home Page (PHP) Requirements
IBOs may create a PHP Home Page to share their personal story or information about their business, hobbies, or interests with friends and downline. A PHPis intended to help build a personal connection and establish credibility with someone who may want to find out more about the business opportunity. IBOs may elect to have their page hosted by one of the recommended service providers or to utilize a service provider of their own choice. Regardless of who builds or hosts the PHP, the IBO Rules of Conduct and the requirements set forth in this bulletin must be followed.
1) Prior Review of PHP Content:
All content must be reviewed and authorized in accordance with the Rules of Conduct. Under the Corporation's Zero Tolerance Policy, IBOs who post unauthorized Web sites (sites that have not been content reviewed and received final authorization) face an immediate suspension for a period of six (6) months.
IBOs posting Personal Home Pages are required to have the content of the PHPs reviewed and authorized in accordance with Corporation's Rules of Conduct. IBOs who use one of the recommended service providers will have their content automatically submitted for review. If you are not using one of the recommended service providers, fax your content to BSM Administration at 1-616-787-4972.
2) Appropriate Content Includes:
a) Independent Business Owners name and state.
b) IBO Achievement level.
c) Personal statements regarding the business which comply with the miscellaneous issues stated below and the IBO Rules of Conduct.
d) A photograph of the IBO about whom the Personal Home Page is written.
e) Artistic elements in good taste which will reflect positively on the IBO and the Business Opportunity.
f) An audio greeting.
g) Market must be identified as North America only.
Please be aware this information can be viewed by anyone on the Internet so you may not wish to publish information considered private or personal.
3) Prohibited Content:
a) Product or service information or advertisements.
b) Recruiting, prospecting, sales plan, or business opportunity materials, including any depiction or representation of the IBO plan.
c) Income representations either expressed or implied.
d) Language which reflects poorly on the Corporation or the business opportunity.
e) Meta Tags of any kind. PHPs shall not be searchable on any Web search engine.
4) E-Mail Contact:
The featured IBOs may post their e-mail address on the Web site, and invite viewers to communicate with them via e-mail. Only the featured IBO's e-mail address may be posted on the site: no multiple-lined recipient communications are permitted. No other e-mail communication in a non-passcode-protected environment is permitted.
5) Links:
IBOs may only link to the following Web sites:
a) Official Corporate Web sites.
b) The Independent Business Owners Association International Web site (www.iboai.com).
c) An authorized line of sponsorship (LOS) Web site.
d) An authorized prospecting Web site.
6) Miscellaneous Issues:
a) BSM and Support System Representations: While the Corporation recognizes Business Support Material and/or system participation can provide valuable support for building and operating an independent business, the purchase and/or use of BSM may not be required by an upline IBO. Nor may its use or purchase be made a condition of receiving upline support. Further, it is a violation of the Rules of Conduct to imply or state that one's success in the business is guaranteed through system participation.
b) Employer/Employee Implications: IBOs may not state or imply in any way that IBOs are employees of the Corporation, their sponsor, or their line of sponsorship.
c) Guarantees: IBOs may not make implied or express guarantees of results or success in any aspect of the business opportunity.
d) Intellectual Property Issues: IBOs may not use any trademark, trade names, service marks, or other intellectual property without prior written permission or license from the intellectual property owner. This is true of intellectual property belonging to the Corporation or any outside manufacturer, vendor, publisher, or other third party. The IBO remains solely responsible for all intellectual property issues and the Corporation is expressly not responsible.
7) Additional Requirements:
These guidelines are provided in an effort to help IBOs develop their own PHP, which meets the requirements of the Independent Business Owners Plan and the Rules of Conduct. This should not be considered an exhaustive list.
Should you have specific questions, please feel free to contact Rules
Administration (616) 787-6712
II. Prospecting Web Site Requirements
IBOs may develop a Web site designed to interest potential IBOs in the business opportunity (a prospecting Web site). The following guidelines have been established, with the assistance and support of the IBOA International, to help IBOs in developing their own web presence and furthering the image of their business.
1) Prior Review of Content:
All content must be reviewed and authorized in accordance with the Rules of Conduct. Under the Corporation's Zero Tolerance Policy, IBOs who post unauthorized Web sites (sites that have not been content reviewed and received final authorization) face an immediate suspension for a period of six (6) months.
IBOs posting a prospecting Web site are required to have the content of such site reviewed and authorized in accordance with the Corporation's Rules of Conduct. IBO Web sites and home pages are Business Support Materials. As such, Rule 7, the BSM Rule, requires that any materials intended for use with prospects and any material used to train IBOs in the presentation of the Independent Business Ownership Plan, must be reviewed and authorized in writing by Worldwide Business Support Material Administration prior to posting on the Web.
A web site may be submitted via any of the following methods:
a) A copy of the entire site faxed to BSM Administration at (616) 787-4972.
b) Downloaded on to a floppy disk, zip disk or CD-ROM and mailed to Quixtar, Inc., P.O. Box 430, Grand Rapids, MI 49599-0430, Mail code 56-3A.
c) E-mailed to WWBSM@quixtar.com if size allows.
d) Uploaded to a hosted facility under pass-code protection. Pass-code and URL address must be e-mailed to WWBSM@quixtar.com.
Remember - disseminating the pass code and URL address prior to receiving final authorization will result in the enforcement of the Zero Tolerance
Policy.2) Passcode Protection:
a) Prospecting Web sites must be passcode protected, utilizing a passcode that is not easily determined by individuals seeking to enter the site who have not been personally invited.
b) The passcode page may only contain information needed for sign-in purposes and a small introductory paragraph to verify a viewer has reached the correct site. A technical help e-mail address can appear for individuals experiencing difficulty. The page may not contain IBO numbers or passcodes that would provide a casual web viewer access. IBOs may give out their passcode to prospective IBOs only in face-to-face or other one-to-one contact situations.
c) The passcode page must carry the following statement: For use with prospects by IBOs in North America only.
3) Appropriate Content Includes:
a) Information regarding the benefits of participation in the business. IBO, Member, and Client categories should all be represented.
b) Your personal story and/or personal reflections regarding the business opportunity.
c) Accurately sourced background and statistical information having to do with the economic trends, general business environment, and future projections.
d) Build-the-dream sections consisting of hyperlinks to sites reflecting potential dreams of a prospect (i.e., cars, vacation spots, etc.). You may not position this section, as implying the business will provide these dreams or goals.
e) General how to's reflective of the type of activities a new IBO would engage in to build their business. Examples include how to make a prospecting list, how to conduct product demonstrations, etc.
f) Information regarding, the system, organization, or personal development program in which you are participating. System participation must always be framed as optional.
g) Outbound Links to Web sites, provided such links are in accordance with the Rules of Conduct and IBOA International Speaker Guidelines. These links may include one's LOS Home Page, Quixtar.com, Amway.com, Amway- ABN.com, and IBOAI.com.
h) Inbound Links from an authorized Personal Home Page and/or a LOS site.
i) Communication areas may include e-mail addresses to facilitate communication.
4) Prohibited Content:
a) Income representations, either expressed or implied.
b) Language which states or implies a guarantee of income.
c) Any depiction or representation of the IBO plan.
d) Presentation or offering of non-corporate products or business opportunities.
e) Presentation or sale of prospecting or IBO Plan training materials.
f) Unlicensed intellectual property materials, such as logos, imagery, product information, and descriptions.
g) Product Sales (see Product Sales Sites).
h) Language which reflects poorly on the business opportunity.
i) Personal success stories that reflect a level of achievement not attained solely through participation in the business.
j) Meta Tags of any kind. Prospecting sites shall not be searchable on any web search engine.
5) Miscellaneous Issues:
a) BSM and Support System Representations: While the Corporation recognizes Business Support Material and/or system participation can provide valuable support for building and operating an independent business, the purchase and/or use of BSM may not be required by an upline IBO. Nor may its use or purchase be made a condition of receiving upline support. Further, it is a violation of the Rules of Conduct to imply or state that one's success in the business is guaranteed through system participation.
b) Employer/Employee Implications: IBOs may not state or imply in any way that IBOs are employees of the Corporation, their sponsor or their line of sponsorship. When presenting the business to prospective IBOs, it must be clear that one is introducing an independent business opportunity
c) Guarantees: IBOs may not make implied or express guarantees of results or success in any aspect of the business opportunity.
d) Sponsoring Only Business Opportunity: IBOs are prohibited from stating or implying that one can build a successful business solely through sponsoring other IBOs, or otherwise de-emphasizing selling products.
e) Intellectual Property Issues: IBOs may not use any trademark, trade names, service marks, or other intellectual property without prior written permission or license from the intellectual property owner. This is true of intellectual property belonging to the Corporation or any outside manufacturer, vendor, publisher, or other third party. The IBO remains solely responsible for all intellectual property issues and the Corporation is expressly not responsible.
6) Additional Requirements:
These guidelines are provided in an effort to help IBOs develop their own prospecting Web site, which meets the requirements of the Independent Business Owners Plan and the Rules of Conduct. This should not be considered an exhaustive list. Should you have specific questions, please feel free to contact Rules Administration (616) 787-6712
IBOs may develop a Web site designed to sell the Corporation's product. However, as with its own sites, the Corporation seeks to ensure the accuracy of product claims and sales information, and to protect its trademarks and copyrights. Therefore, the following requirements must be met before an IBO may post a customer product sales Web site:
1) Prior Review of Content:
All content must be reviewed and authorized in accordance with the Rules ofConduct. Under the Corporation's Zero Tolerance Policy, IBOs who post unauthorized Web sites (sites that have not been content reviewed and received final authorization) face an immediate suspension for a period of six (6) months.
IBOs posting a Product Sales Web site are required to have the content of such site reviewed and authorized in accordance with the Corporation's Rules of Conduct. IBO Web sites and home pages are Business Support Materials. As such, Rule 7, the BSM Rule, requires that any materials containing product information and/or product claims, or which utilize the Corporation's trademarks, trade names, or copyrighted materials, must be reviewed and authorized in writing by Worldwide Business Support Material Administration prior to posting on the Web.
A web site may be submitted via any of the following methods:
a) A copy of the entire site faxed to BSM Administration at (616) 787-4972.
b) Downloaded on to a floppy disk, zip disk or CD-ROM and mailed to Quixtar, Inc., P.O. Box 430, Grand Rapids, MI 49599-0430, Mail code 56-3A.
c) E-mailed to WWBSM@quixtar.com if size allows.
d) Uploaded to a hosted facility under pass-code protection. Pass-code and URL address must be e-mailed to WWBSM@quixtar.com.
Remember - disseminating the pass code and URL address prior to receiving final authorization will result in the enforcement of the Zero Tolerance Policy.
2) Passcode Protection:
a) Product Sales Web sites must be passcode protected, utilizing a passcode that is not easily determined by individuals seeking to enter the site who have not been personally invited.
b) The passcode page may only contain information needed for sign-in purposes and a small introductory paragraph to verify a viewer has reached the correct site. A technical help e-mail address can appear for individuals experiencing difficulty. The page may not contain IBO numbers or passcodes that would provide a casual Web viewer access. IBOs may give out their passcode to prospective IBOs only in face-to-face or other one-to-one contact situations. IBOs may not broadcast, post, or mass communicate pass codes to the public or segments thereof.
c) IBOs may not sell products to customers outside of the United States or Canada. The passcode page must carry the following statement: For use with prospects by IBOs in North America only.
3) Appropriate Content Includes:
a) Country appropriate product information and imagery as provided by the Corporation. Use of any trademark, trade names, service marks, or other intellectual property including photos and text, must be used appropriately and requires written permission from the Corporation.
b) On-line forms and on-line processing of orders. However, IBOs are responsible for all security issues, including but not limited to the confidentiality of customer credit card numbers, associated with their Web sites.
c) Product Promotion Information as provided by the Corporation.
d) IBOs must clearly and conspicuously state that they are independent businesspersons and products are not being ordered directly from the Corporation.
4) Prohibited Content:
a) No products other than those offered by the Corporation to its IBOs may be sold on these sites.
b) Unlicensed intellectual property materials of the Corporation such as logos, imagery, product information, and descriptions.
c) Personally produced product imagery or product information except as authorized by the Corporation.
d) Meta Tags of any kind. Product Sales Web sites shall not be searchable on any Web search engine.
e) Language which reflects poorly on the Corporation's products.
f) Prospecting and recruiting content.
g) Presentation or sale of BSMs.
5) Additional Requirements:
These guidelines are provided in an effort to help IBOs develop their own PHP, which meets the requirements of the Independent Business Owners Plan and the Rules of Conduct. This should not be considered an exhaustive list.
Should you have specific questions, please feel free to contact Rules Administration (616) 787-6712.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES OF CONDUCT AND THIS BULLETIN MAY RESULT IN ACTION AGAINST YOUR INDEPENDENT BUSINESS
How to Report sites in violation of the Bulletin 17 Rules
IBO distributor web sites violating the Bulleting 17 rules should be reported immediately at abuse@quixtar.com by sending them the URL of the offending site. Characteristics of violating sites are:
1) Distributor IBO number displayed, as well as hyperlinks to other sites without first having to enter a password on the site.
2) No other e-mail communication in a non-passcode-protected environment is permitted.
3) Any distributor IBO site, which is found in a search engine.
4) Any distributor IBO site, which contains "META" tags. META tags are used by search engines to classify and organize web pages in search engine data bases. Presence of tags can be seen in most browsers by clicking "view", and then "source" to see the .html source code.
Example:
<meta name="keywords" content="quixtar, quixtar, quixtar, quixtar vortex, quickstar, quikstar, quicstar, bockwall, tdah, tdah!, Quixtar online shopping, Alladvantage, all advantage, Amway quixtar team,countdown9199, count down 9199, Proctor and Gamble, PandG, PG, Shoppingservice, IBO, Save Money, Saving Club, Online catalog services, Franchising services, Franchise companies,private franchising, online franchise opportunity, shopping club, trim advantage, club membership, nutrilite, trim ship, 2331079">
<meta name="description" content="Quixtar Reference Information.Quixtar, An exiting new online shopping mall and ISP that is coming September 1, 1999. Position yourself to cash in on the extremely lucartive business of e-commerce">
To send the URL, click on abuse@quixtar.com to open up your mail program. In your browser on the offending page point your cursor at the end of the URL, and click once. Type Ctrl-C to copy the URL to your "clip board". Now go to your mail program and click once in the text area. Type Ctrl-V to paste the URL in the e-mail. It should now show up in blue. Send the e-mail.