TopBucks WTF is this about

[jingjo]

I've just received this email from TopBucks and I don't have a clue WTF they are on about.

Can anybody enlighten me?

"This email is a transactional or relationship email message. You are receiving this email in order to receive information about goods or services, including product updates or upgrades that you are entitled to receive under the terms of a transaction that you previously agreed to enter into with TopBucks.



Dear Webmaster,
The following is important information that pertains to you as a TopBucks-valued Webmaster and your participation in the TopBucks Webmaster Program.

As you know, the TopBucks Webmaster Program was recently the subject of a settlement agreement between Cyberheat, Inc. and the Federal Trade Commission. Pursuant to the Injunction which resulted from the settlement agreement, TopBucks is required to obtain certain information from you, serve you with a copy of the injunction Order, and obtain your signed Acknowledgment of the Order. In shorter terms, your signature on the Acknowledgment verifies that you have read the Order and you agree to comply with the Order,
the Adult Labeling Rule, and the CAN-SPAM Act. Because TopBucks prohibits solicited or unsolicited email campaigns, compliance with the Order should be basically a non-issue to you.

We, at TopBucks, have attempted to design the easiest method for you to meet the requirements of the Injunction as they pertain to you. Therefore, you may update your account personal information, read the Injunction, and sign the Acknowledgment in just a couple of easy steps. Please login to your TopBucks account and take a moment to read the Injunction and sign the Acknowledgment at your earliest convenience.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation in helping us to comply with the Injunction so that we may continue to provide you with the same great quality products and services. If you have any difficulty in completing and processing the TB admin page or have any questions, please feel free to contact your personal TopBucks Support Representative or our friendly legal staff at
[email protected]

Thank you from your TopBucks team"

[RTP]

you are in trouble man

[Fletch XXX]

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showthread.php?t=824009
http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showthread.php?t=823937

[tranza]

They should at least explain better what this is all about.

[FreeHugeMovies]

Originally Posted by tranza

They should at least explain better what this is all about.

Agreed and you know Top Bucks will. They will have a reply on GFY very shortly.

[SmokeyTheBear]

Originally Posted by tranza

They should at least explain better what this is all about.

i thought it was fairly straightforward but the ramifications of signing it might not be.

in a nutshell they or their affiliates got caught spamming , just like bangbros did i think

anyways the ftc lets them stay open as long as all affiliates are aware they have to follow the rules ( basically so they can no longer use the "rogue affiliate excuse" )

Now that being said i never had to sign anything when bangbros got busted but i seem to remember a glaring warning on the webmasters pages or something.

2 theories.

#1 topbucks wants to make sure they are distanced from the affiliate by having the contract , so if they get busted again they can show the affiliates signature and the ftc can go after them.

#2 the ftc has made their rules more strict than when bangbros and others got hit.

[Allison]

Hi All,

Seems there is some confusion over a very simple situation. As the letter refers, the TopBucks affiliate program settled with the FTC over a CAN-SPAM suit that we previously had been fighting. Through fighting, we were able to negotiate many things to keep the information of TopBucks webmasters private and there are some few simple steps needed to be taken on our end which include:

1) Making sure all of our webmasters are informed of the settlement agreement and know that violations of CAN-SPAM are not tolerated.

2) Making sure we have up to date information from webmasters who participate in the program. We are only required to provide information to the government if your account violates CAN-SPAM

Since the TopBucks program prohibits promotion via e-mail and there should be no accounts using E-mail as a way to promote TopBucks sites, this just leaves a very simple record keeping update.

If you log into the TopBucks program, there is additional information.

I hope this helps and all of our staff is available for questions.

~Alli

[Allison]

Originally Posted by SmokeyTheBear

i thought it was fairly straightforward but the ramifications of signing it might not be.

in a nutshell they or their affiliates got caught spamming , just like bangbros did i think

anyways the ftc lets them stay open as long as all affiliates are aware they have to follow the rules ( basically so they can no longer use the "rogue affiliate excuse" )

Now that being said i never had to sign anything when bangbros got busted but i seem to remember a glaring warning on the webmasters pages or something.

2 theories.

#1 topbucks wants to make sure they are distanced from the affiliate by having the contract , so if they get busted again they can show the affiliates signature and the ftc can go after them.

#2 the ftc has made their rules more strict than when bangbros and others got hit.

Just to clarify, specific to our settlement, it only authorizes information to be reviewed or reported if there is a CAN-SPAM violation.

Also, all other settlements required an e-signature as well.

Pertinent pages to compare if you're interested
Page to 14 http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/04231...tip0423180.pdf
"available for inspection and copying"

VS.

Page 14
http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/05230...forperminj.pdf


~Alli

[HouseHead]

gooooosh

[jingjo]

Originally Posted by jingjo

As you know, the TopBucks Webmaster Program was recently the subject of a settlement agreement between Cyberheat, Inc. and the Federal Trade Commission.

Bullshit TopBucks - getting this email was the first time I fucking heard about it.

[Miguel T]

I have updated my account.

[papill0n]

Originally Posted by Allison

Hi All,

Seems there is some confusion over a very simple situation. As the letter refers, the TopBucks affiliate program settled with the FTC over a CAN-SPAM suit that we previously had been fighting. Through fighting, we were able to negotiate many things to keep the information of TopBucks webmasters private and there are some few simple steps needed to be taken on our end which include:

1) Making sure all of our webmasters are informed of the settlement agreement and know that violations of CAN-SPAM are not tolerated.

2) Making sure we have up to date information from webmasters who participate in the program. We are only required to provide information to the government if your account violates CAN-SPAM

Since the TopBucks program prohibits promotion via e-mail and there should be no accounts using E-mail as a way to promote TopBucks sites, this just leaves a very simple record keeping update.

If you log into the TopBucks program, there is additional information.

I hope this helps and all of our staff is available for questions.

~Alli

Thanks Alli :D

[Lonny]

received that email like 2 days ago or so updated my accounts.

[MediaGuy]

Originally Posted by tranza

They should at least explain better what this is all about.

They do -

Once you log in.

Here's their injunction acknowledgement for webmasters/members:

Webmaster Acknowledgement


Earlier this year, Cyberheat, Inc. ("Cyberheat") announced the settlement of a case filed in 2005 against Cyberheat on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") pursuant to CAN-SPAM. In that lawsuit, the government claimed that Cyberheat should be liable for the unauthorized acts of several rogue affiliates who instigated e-mail campaigns in violation of their respective agreements with Cyberheat and/or its related companies. The settlement, which took the form of a negotiated order of permanent injunction (the "Order"), was an outright victory for Cyberheat, especially in relation to concessions demanded and obtained by Cyberheat regarding webmaster privacy and in relation to a precedent-setting opinion from the court limiting the liability of industry-related companies for the unauthorized acts of its contractors. The primary going-forward requirements of the settlement require little more than compliance with CAN-SPAM and its related regulations. (This is a non-factor, insofar as Cyberheat has been and is in full compliance.) The settlement does include several logistical requirements, including acknowledgement of the Order's requirements by Cyberheat-related webmasters and employees and the maintenance of certain webmaster-related information by Cyberheat.

Click here for a copy of the injunction.

In accordance with the settlement agreement, Cyberheat provides herewith your copy of the Order. Upon receipt, Cyberheat asks that you complete and return the acknowledgement below.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have received and reviewed a copy of the Order. I agree to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, including CAN-SPAM, the Adult Labeling Rule, and the provisions of the Order.
(Sign below by typing your name.)

[Lonny]

Originally Posted by jingjo

Bullshit TopBucks - getting this email was the first time I fucking heard about it.

im curious as to why you link in your sig pops up a virus, not to mention i get a not found when i try to view the source of the page.

[Chef86]

I got that email as well I was wondering what it was all about kinda glad that I clicked on this thread

[jingjo]

Originally Posted by ikonworx

im curious as to why you link in your sig pops up a virus, not to mention i get a not found when i try to view the source of the page.

Thanks for the heads up ikonworkx - there was a script on the page that I was unaware about. I't been removed now.