MLMLegal.com – MLM, Network Marketing, Direct Selling News, Videos, Articles, Legal Updates, and More.

New Video – Welcome to MLMLegal.com, from Jeff Babener

Charity — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 15:44:39 +0000

No one better can introduce you to mlmlegal.com better than the man behind it, expert MLM Attorney, Jeff Babener. Speaking to you from the Swiss Alps, Jeff Babener invites you to MLMLegal.com.

Visit us at www.mlmlegal.com to learn more.

MLMLegal.com has a New Face!

Charity — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 22:16:31 +0000

How long has it been since you’ve visited MLMLegal.com? Are you someone who’s been visiting our website for years? You’ll be surprised to see that we’ve given MLMLegal.com a new face! And we are working on updating more pages throughout 2016!

As you can see, a new and easy-to-use navigation bar helps visitors easily find what they are looking for, whether it be the blog, articles, videos, MLM resources, conference pages, or one of the many other resources we have on our website for direct sellers.

The main homepage image was provided by expert MLM Attorney himself! Jeff Babener! While on a trip to Europe. These beautiful mountains provide us with the metaphor “Let Us Be Your Guide.” Let the Law Office of Babener and Associates, MLMLegal.com, guide you through the sometimes difficult MLM industry and its legal climate. As experienced network marketing attorneys, who have been in the industry for three decades, and who have represented companies such as Melaleuca, Avon, Herbalife, NuSkin, USANA, Nerium, Excel, and Team National, we have the experience and credibility to help you navigate the direct selling industry.

Let us be your guide through the education we provide throughout our website in the form of articles, videos, and MLM resources. Or, let us be your guide in helping you start or run your direct selling company; we advise in all of the legal aspects of starting up or running MLM, network marketing companies.

Our new homepage offers you quick and easy-to-find links so that you can easily contact us, request a free MLM Startup Manual, gather information regarding our next MLM Startup Conference, or subscribe to our new newsletter, MLM News Global.

The new MLMLegal.com homepage still features new content, this time under its own, clearly-outlined section.

Scroll down some more to find exactly what you were looking for, such as the free MLM Startup Manual. The articles inside are clearly outlined for you. And, you can click the image or the text links to be taken to the online form request page.

What else is important?

A scrolling carousal provides you with images taken of past conferences and directs your eye and mouse directly to the page where you can find out when the next conference takes place.

And now, you can find all of Jeff Babener’s videos (over 100!) in one location, the homepage!

…Right along with Mr. Babener’s most popular industry articles!

And don’t forget about the rest of the MLM, network marketing, direct selling content on MLMLegal.com! The Law Library is where you can find all of Mr. Babener’s articles, federal and state cases, MLM law in 50 states, MLM business articles, IRS 911 Publication, and so many more article index pages that can be easily navigated.

Hint: Each new webpage now has related video and page content at the end of each webpage.

As does our new homepage! The end of each page has links to related material, or other related pages that we suggest that you visit while you’re here! On the homepage, we suggest that you visit the MLM Startup Conference page, request a FREE copy of the MLM Startup Manual, and visit our Contact Us page.

And finally, at the bottom of the pages at our new website are links to our social networking pages! Follow us on Twitter! Friend us on Facebook! Like our Facebook page! Visit us on LinkedIn or Google+! There are lots of easy ways to stay in touch with us and now we’ve made it easy for you to find us online!

We thought a lot about you when redesigning our new website. We hope you find it more manageable yet still famous for being full of lots of useful content!

If you are interested in attending the Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company conference visit our conference page, view our speaker list, or get more details. All executives/owners of direct selling companies are welcome to attend. Call 800-231-2162 to register.

Our next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference takes place February 25 & 26, 2016 in Las Vegas. View our conference flyer and speaker list online. Participate in our Innovation Campaign for your chance to receive TWO FREE TICKETS to attend our next conference.

If you’re reading this blog post and the conference dates above have passed, check our website for the current conference dates.

Sign up for the MLM News Global newsletter for top headlines, news stories, scam alerts, videos, articles, and more information on the network marketing industry.

Visit us at www.mlmlegal.com to learn more.

How do I Raise Capital to Start My MLM Business?

Charity — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 16:44:34 +0000

Most MLM businesses startup with personal capital, investments from family and friends and possibly from a “random” angel investor.

Although it would be nice to think that venture capital firms were salivating to fund direct selling companies, this is not the case. First, the amount of money needed, which is often merely a few hundred thousand dollars, is “too small potatoes” for most venture capital funds. Even the best MLM companies are often started by inexperienced business persons. Venture capital firms are not comfortable in this context.

Rather, most MLM businesses startup with personal capital, investments from family and friends and possibly from a “random” angel investor. This is not to say that development of a good business plan and pro forma is not important to asking such individuals to participate. However, it is more likely that the investment will be provided on the basis of a personal relationship and trust, along with other loyalty factors.

At a later date, if a MLM company is successful, you will find investment banking firms beating a path to the door to invest. As you look at the success stories of Silpada, Herbalife, Pamper Chef, Visalus, etc., it is evident that investment groups are enamored by MLM companies with a solid track record.

For executives looking to start or are already running an existing direct selling company, we offer the MLM Startup Conference for MLM Executives in Las Vegas. One of the many topics covered at the event is how to raise capital in order to fund your MLM startup company. For over 25 years, this conference has helped entrepreneurs start and grow their network marketing businesses. For more information, visit our conference flyer page.

Visit www.mlmlegal.com and www.mlmattorney.com for more information and updates on the direct selling industry.

Find us on our social networks:

Our next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference takes place October 24th & 25th, 2013 in Las Vegas. Call 503-226-6600 or 800-231-2162 to register.

Visit us at www.mlmlegal.com to learn more.

FDA Notification for Permissible Structure/Function Claims for Dietary Supplements

Charity — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:19:51 +0000

MLM Distributors and MLM companies often ask about the notification requirements for permissible structure/function claims for dietary supplements, under FDA rules of DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health Education Act). Here is summary, directly from the FDA, which may prove helpful:

PART 101 — FOOD LABELING

Subpart F–Specific Requirements for Descriptive Claims That Are Neither Nutrient Content Claims nor Health Claims

Sec. 101.93 Certain types of statements for dietary supplements.

(a)(1) No later than 30 days after the first marketing of a dietary supplement that bears one of the statements listed in section 403(r)(6) or the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the manufacturer, packer, or distributor of the dietary supplement shall notify the Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements (HFS-810), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, that it has included such a statement on the label or in the labeling of its product. An original and two copies of this notification shall be submitted.

(2) The notification shall include the following:

(i) The name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor of the dietary supplement that bears the statement;

(ii) The text of the statement that is being made;

(iii) The name of the dietary ingredient or supplement that is the subject of the statement, if not provided in the text of the statement; and

(iv) The name of the dietary supplement (including brand name), if not provided in response to paragraph (a)(2)(iii) on whose label, or in whose labeling, the statement appears.

(3) The notice shall be signed by a responsible individual or the person who can certify the accuracy of the information presented and contained in the notice. The individual shall certify that the information contained in the notice is complete and accurate, and that the notifying firm has substantiation that the statement is truthful and not misleading.

(b)Disclaimer. The requirements in this section apply to the label or labeling of dietary supplements where the dietary supplement bears a statement that is provided for by section 403(r)(6) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act), and the manufacturer, packer, or distributor wishes to take advantage of the exemption to section 201(g)(1)(C) of the act that is provided by compliance with section 403(r)(6) of the act.

(c)Text for disclaimer.

(1) Where there is one statement, the disclaimer shall be placed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section and shall state:

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

(2) Where there is more than one such statement on the label or in the labeling, each statement shall bear the disclaimer in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, or a plural disclaimer may be placed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section and shall state:

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

(d)Placement. The disclaimer shall be placed adjacent to the statement with no intervening material or linked to the statement with a symbol (e.g., an asterisk) at the end of each such statement that refers to the same symbol placed adjacent to the disclaimer specified in paragraphs (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this section. On product labels and in labeling (e.g., pamphlets, catalogs), the disclaimer shall appear on each panel or page where there such is a statement. The disclaimer shall be set off in a box where it is not adjacent to the statement in question.

(e)Typesize. The disclaimer in paragraph (c) of this section shall appear in boldface type in letters of a typesize no smaller than one-sixteenth inch.

For additional information on FDA Rules and Regulations, visit the following links:

What is the Relationship between MLM and the FDA? Video

The FDA and Health Claims Article

FDA Health Claims: The Final Rules Article

FDA: New Health Claim Rules:

Choosing the Right Product for Your Direct Selling Company

Distributor Training – Two Common Questions

MLM and the FDA

MLM’s History with the Government

New Video – Unauthorized Medical Claims and FDA Issues

FDA to Issue Revised NDI Guidance – Nutraceuticals World Reports

Nutritional Supplements, Health Claims and MLM

MLM Attorney – How a MLM Lawyer Can Help Your Direct Selling Business

FDA to Issue Revised NDI Guidance – Nutraceuticals World Reports

For more information, visit our websites at www.mlmlegal.com and www.mlmattorney.com. Or, visit our blogs at http://mlmlegal.com/MLMBlog/ and http://mlmattorney.com/blog/.

Find us on our social networks:

And, as always, visit MLMLegal.com, the best MLM resource on the web. The next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference will be here before you know it! On May 16^th and 17^th, 2013 we are hosting the MLM Conference for the 25^th year! This is now our 64^th annual conference (held almost consistently three times per year over the last 24 years). All executives/owners of MLM, direct selling, network marking, and party plan companies are welcome to attend. This is the original MLM Startup Conference, hosted and perfected by direct selling industry expert, MLM Attorney Jeff Babener. Call 503-226-6600 or 800-231-2162 to register. (Can’t make this event? Keep an eye out for our October and February conferences as well.)

Visit us at www.mlmlegal.com to learn more.

MLM Attorney – How a MLM Lawyer Can Help Your Direct Selling Business

Charity — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:06:36 +0000

This blog post is the companion post to the video T he Legal Issues of Starting and Running a MLM Company. The following is the transcript of MLM Attorney Jeff Babener’s own words:

Hi, I’m Jeff Babener of MLMLegal.com, and I’d like to talk to you today MLMLegal.com. Don’t leave home without it.

At first glance, one might question the role of the MLM law expert in a marketing-driven industry. However, your MLM lawyer may be the single most valuable resource that you will ever utilize.

There are very few in the gene pool who have intimate, practical knowledge, as well as legal knowledge of the business; often understanding the business better than most of his or her clients. It is a unique blend of marketing, practical knowledge, and experience combined together, with practical legal experience, that may cause the MLM lawyer to answer questions (off the top of his or her head) in five minutes what would take a typical business lawyer five years to research. And, in which case, they would still probably not understand the issues, let alone the solutions. For better or for worse, the practices of the MLM industry have induced scores of legislation and regulatory control, such as pyramid statutes, MLM statutes, Business Opportunity, security, FTC, and postal regulation. Notwithstanding the success of the industry, there is always tension between the regulatory community and the MLM industry. Overzealous regulators and rouge operators guarantee that this state of affairs will always exist.

Later issues with distributor relations, distributor discipline, FDA, trademark, tax, and international expansion arise. It is easy to see why the MLM attorney is probably the first person with whom you should establish a relationship and with who you should grow. That person is a trusted business advisor and a member of your business team.

At a minimum, you would be premature to jump into the marketplace without a legal review by MLM Legal Counsel of the most basic of sales kit contents. The basics include representative agreements, policies and procedures, product brochures, marketing plan presentations, as well as various forms, ranging from retail receipts to auto ship, to multiple owner applications, etcetera.

Responding after the fact to regulatory agencies over deficient materials or answering distributor complaints for slip shot documentation is too little, too late. And it will be too bad for the start up MLM business.

Wishing you the best in your direct-selling business, I’m Jeff Babener.

For more information visit our websites: www.mlmlegal.com and www.mlmattorney.com.

Or, visit these links for more information:

Why You Should Trademark Your MLM Company Name

Profile of the Leading MLM Law Firm – Babener & Associates and MLMLegal.com

An Introduction to Direct Selling and The Basics of MLM

Recruiting Advice from an Industry Expert – The MLM Fairytale “Network Marketing and Frogs”

Jeffrey Babener’s Youtube Channel Reaches 60,000 Views

Short Course on Network Marketing: Q&A with Jeffrey Babener on Pyramid Schemes Video

Profile of a Leading MLM Law Firm – Babener & Associates Video

How Does a Business Lawyer become a MLM Lawyer? Video

Is a MLM Lawyer a Typical Lawyer? Video

What is the role of an Experienced MLM Legal Counsel? Video

CNBC.com Cites Legal Expert, Jeffrey Babener on FTC Business Opportunity Rule

The Role of MLM Legal Counsel – Why Hire a MLM Attorney

Where to Find MLM Startup Tips and Answers from an Industry Expert

An Interview with Industry Expert and Advocate, Jeffrey Babener

Interview with Expert MLM Attorney – How to Handle Compliance Discussions with your Distributors

Make sure to visit our blogs for the latest information on the direct selling industry: MLMLegal Blog Home and MLM Attorney Blog Home. HINT: Chose a category to narrow your search for discussion topics!

Find us on our social networks:

Google Plus: http://plus.google.com/u/0/115279960045099999909#115279960045099999909/posts

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mlmlegal

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BabenerLawFirm

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mlmlegal

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=696968133

And, as always, visit MLMLegal.com, the best MLM resource on the web. The next Starting and Running the Successful MLM Company Conference is quickly approaching! On February 21^st and 22^nd, 2013 we are hosting the MLM Conference for the 25^th year! This is now our 63nd annual conference (held almost consistently three times per year over the last 24 years). All executives/owners of MLM, direct selling, network marking, and party plan companies are welcome to attend. This is the original MLM Startup Conference, hosted and perfected by direct selling industry expert, MLM Attorney Jeff Babener. Call 503-226-6600 or 800-231-2162 to register. (Can’t make this event? Our next Conference takes place May 16^th & 17, 2013 in Las Vegas! Call our office to register today!)

Visit us at www.mlmlegal.com to learn more.