BUCK REED (SEE LAWSUIT BELOW) HAS HIS OWN SCAM WEBSITE
Nov 14 2011 - Buck Reed (case below) agreed not to use any of the material Bill Gouldd claimed. However someone has put up a blog about Mr. Reed and his misadventures with other peoples money. Your editor has not confirmed statements made so take it with a grain of salt! I do have to say there are some passionate writers filling this blog!
BILL GOULDD & AGMS ON OR OFF?
Apr 28 2011 Bill Gouldd is still talking about the new MLM, Avante-Gard Marketing Solutions on his website. On paper AGMS is actually owned by his wife Theresa, but this is just a front. He mentions that lawsuits etc. have kept AGMS from moving forward.
MEANTIME AGMS HAS NO TRAFFIC PER COMPETE.COM
But AGMS has testimonials on their website (weird) with people talking about how much money they are making. Check it out below.
BILL GOULDD, EQUINOX PYRAMID MASTER LOSES
Bill Gouldd failed to convince the court that they should let him into Craig Keeland’s Via Viente Deep Pockets. Read the PDF ON BILL GOULDD BEING DISMISSED Click Here for PDF
Remember Bill Gould and Equinox $40 million FTC hit?
$40 million FTC settlement link below
BILL GOULDD SUES VIA VIENTE AND OLD EQUINOX DISTRIBUTORS
GOULDD'S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT AND JURY DEMAND
COMES NOW Plaintiff Bill Gouldd (“Plaintiff Gouldd”), in the above cause, for his Complaint against Defendants Sheri Sharman (“Sharman”), Muzafer Najfi (“Najfi”), Buck Reed, AKA, Freeman Reed, Jr., (“Reed”), “One Big Team, Inc,” (“OBT”), Viaviente Global LP (ULPA), Defendants Viaviente Global GP Inc., Viaviente International GP, INC., Viaviente International LP, Viaviente U.S. GP, Inc., Viaviente U.S. L.P., (collectively, “ViaViente”) and Craig Keeland (“Keeland”) (“collectively, “Defendants”), alleging unto the Court as follows:
NATURE OF ACTION (USING GOULDD'S {supposed} TRAINING MATERIAL)
This is an action for copyright infringement arising from the illegal and unauthorized copying, sale, distribution and performance of Plaintiff Gouldd’s copyrighted works by Defendants, and the illegal and unauthorized creation and performance of derivative works based on Plaintiff Gouldd’s copyrighted works by Defendants, in violation of Plaintiff. Gouldd’s federally protected rights. This is also an action for breach of contract, intentional interference with business relations and wrongful use of trade secrets.
STUFF SUPPOSEDLY STOLEN - LISTED BY GOULDD
a collection of audio recordings based on original performances created and performed by Plaintiff Gouldd. (The “Character Stories”). These Character Stories are known as “The Doctor,” the “High Plains Drifter,” (AKA “The Cowboy,”), “The Fisherman,” ”The Construction Worker,” “The Farmer,” The Professor,” “The G.I.,” “The Golfer,” “The Karate Master,” “The Prisoner,” “The Prospector,” “The Hockey Player,” “The Joker,” The Mechanic,” and “The Indian Chief.” A collection of audio recordings of these original Character Stories are the subject of United States Copyright Registration No. SR 185,240, granted February 10, 1994, entitled “Creating a Perpetual Money Machine.” Plaintiff Gouldd's above-referenced Character Stories contain a substantial amount of material created by Plaintiff Gouldd's own skill, creativity, labor, and judgment, constituting copyrightable subject matter under the laws of the United States. Plaintiff Gouldd was and is still the sole owner of all right, title, and interest in and to Copyright Registration No. SR 185,240. Photocopies of the front and back covers of a case containing eight audiotapes, and photocopies of the audiotapes themselves of the Character Stories which are the subject of Copyright Registration No. SR 185,240, are attached as Exhibit 1.
COUNTER CLAIM - WHOOPS BILL - THEY SAY YOU STOLE IT FIRST!
(Request For Cancellation of Copyright Registration)
13. Defendants/Counterclaimants incorporate herein, by this reference, each and every allegation contained in paragraphs 1 through 12, inclusive, of this Counterclaim and paragraphs 1 through 16, inclusive, of the Affirmative Defenses, as though fully set forth herein.
14. On information and belief, Counterclaimants allege that on or around February 10, 1994, the Copyright office granted registration No. SR 185,240.
15. Bill Gouldd falsely represented to the U.S. Copyright office that he was the “author” of a work titled “Creating a perpetual money machine / Bill Gouldd.” This work was granted registration No. SR 185,240 (hereafter referred to as the “Money Machine Copyright”). Bill Gouldd further falsely represented to the U.S. Copyright Office that the date of creation of this work was 1991 and its date of publication was March 1, 1991.
16. Bill Gouldd knew at the time he made these statements regarding authorship, date of creation, and date of publication for the Money Machine Copyright that they were false, as the work had been created much earlier by another individual or individuals.
17. Bill Gouldd falsely represented to the U.S. Copyright office that he was the “author” of a textual work titled “Journey beyond perception.” This work was granted registration No. TX 3,968,639 (hereafter referred to as the “Journey Beyond Perception Text Copyright”). Bill Gouldd further falsely represented to the U.S. Copyright Office
that the date of creation of this work was 1994 and its date of publication was January 1, 1994.
18. Bill Gouldd knew at the time he made these statements regarding authorship, date of creation, and date of publication for the Journey Beyond Perception Text Copyright that they were false, as the work had been created much earlier by another individual or individuals.
Excerpted for brevity's sake .... many same as above, different material!
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Defendants/Counterclaimants pray that:
1. This Court order the U.S. Copyright Office to cancel registration of Copyright
Registration Nos. (a) SR 185,240; (b) TX 3,968,639; (c) SR 208,040; (d) SR
183,308; (e) PA 750,223; (f) PA 720,090; (g) PA 729,616; (h) PA 729,614; and (i) TX
3,806,002.
2. This Court exercise its power under 28 U.S.C. § 2201 and Fed R. Civ. P.
Rule 57 to declare that Defendants/Counterclaimants did not infringe on U.S. Trademark
Registration No. 2,990,706.
3. Defendants/Counterclaimants be awarded damages for fraudulent registration
of copyright in the sum in accordance with proof at trial.
4. Defendants/Counterclaimants be awarded costs for this action and reasonable
attorney fees.
5. This court grant such other and further relief as it shall deem just.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott W. Wellman
California Bar No. 82897
Pro Hac Vice
Derek Banducci
California Bar No. 252124
Pro Hac Vice
WELLMAN & WARREN LLP
24411 Ridge Route, Suite 200
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
949-580-3737
ATTORNEYS FOR
DEFENDANTS BUCK REED,
SHERI SHARMAN, AND
ONE BIG TEAM, INC.
This Article Was Featured by ABC's 20/20 Expose of Equinox
FTC SETTLEMENT APR 25th 2000 EQUINOX $40 million
The following article is from the MLM Insider Magazine, June/July 1995 Issue:
This article represents a Publishers Commentary on Equinox and its Owner Bill Gouldd.
Bill Gouldd, President of Equinox International is Network Marketing trouble. In fact, Gouldd could possibly be the most dangerous man to Network Marketing today, with a reputation as a true master of the dreaded MLM front load and other unbalanced marketing tactics that are so unethical, they should be criminal. But, for those of you in the know, it should be no surprise that Bill Gouldd learned his way of doing business while a top producing International Marketing Director (IMD) with the old NSA during the late 80's and this is reflected in the almost identical-cult like way that Gouldd markets Equinox (In fact Equinox distributors are often referred to as Goulies) This even includes the strikingly similarity to the old version of the NSA compensation plan which was massive in its front-load approach. For example, except for some nominal rebates, you don't make any real override commissions on the purchases of others you bring into the business until you have generated $5,000 in wholesale product purchases/movement and become a Manger. This certainly has created a lot of incentive to buy your way to the $5,000 manager position so as not to miss out on potential commissions.
Bill Gouldd is presently being investigated by at least 5 States, including California, Virginia, North Dakota, Florida, and Texas. Not to mention the incredible number of complaints on file with BBB's across the U.S.A. 25 in Las Vegas the home state of Equinox. There are also class action lawsuits pending. You would have thought he had learned his lesson while during his tenure with NSA when he was fined over $250,000 by the State of California for front-loading and unrealistic earnings claims. He eventually settled with California for $75,000.
Since Equinox launched in 1992, I have received literally hundreds of calls from prospective and existing Equinox distributors. More or less their horror stories are the same about the recruitment/sign-up process, the intimidation tactics of Gouldd, his use of the podium during trainings to humiliate and even emasculate distributors not living up to expectations using generous amounts of expletives that would even make this New Yorker grimace. Without going into great detail following is a brief outline of the Equinox recruitment process all with the blessing and encouragement of upper management.
1. Opportunity Ad is placed by an Equinox distributor in newspaper, magazine, etc.
2. Prospect responds. Distributor/Recruiter paints the picture of the great Equinox opportunity then strongly urges the prospect to come in for an interview at the local distributor run Equinox office whereupon the prospect is dazzled by a well choreographed presentation full of hype. After the presentation the prospect has a one-on-one with the distributor who invited them and immediately (or the opportunity will be lost) is urged to buy into a position in the company with the illusion that this is where all the great comp plan perks begin and big money can be made. This generally represents a $5,000 buy- in to break Manager, $10,000 to break Supervisor and $20,000 to break Director. Remember, no override commission are earned until a distributor has reached the level of Manager ($5,000 level). Depending on how this session goes, the actual closing process may be delayed until the usual Saturday opportunity meeting, which the prospect is invited to. This meeting (which I have attended) has many similarities to how the Moonies used to recruit. Basically, prospects are broken down emotionally and psychologically from start to finish and by the end of the meeting are ready to sign over their lives to Equinox. The meeting room is generally very cold, and prospects are monitored carefully and in some cases even followed to the bathroom. The opportunity pitch couldn't be better choreographed and if you are a follower personality you are doomed and fall right into their hands. Consequently, a high number of prospects end up being slammed into the opportunity at the $5,000 (buy-in) Manager position usually on a credit card they can't really afford to use, as I have found out during my investigation.
3. Now that the prospect is signed in he/she is encouraged very strongly to start placing ads and take a space in an Equinox share-office to promote the business in the same fashion as they were recruited. Presently there are about 350 Equinox offices around the country operating under different operators in order to shield Gouldd from any legal fallout. Office space ranges between $250 -$500 per month per distributor and a phone line must be also be installed at the new distributors expense. Ad placement can cost another $500 per month. Go along to get along couldn't be more important than with Equinox. And from the beginning, if a prospect is not living up to expectations or following direction, they are immediately made to feel like crap and for all intent and purposes ostracized until they earn their way back into the fold.
4. Company trainings are a very important part of the Equinox business opportunity and they cost big bucks!!! And if you don't participate in them, you again are made to feel like crap and are ostracized. Company trainings are put on by Gouldd's company, Advanced Marketing Seminars and just about every dime of money taken in from distributors attending these various trainings (estimated at around $2.5 million/month) goes right into Bill Gouldd’s pocket. Gouldd even goes so far as to charge distributors who volunteer to work at these trainings. Presently there are 6 different trainings. New recruits are strongly encouraged to go to a Basic training immediately for $300 plus travel and lodging expenses and then ASAP go to the other more advanced and yes, more expensive trainings. As follows:
1.
Basic -$300
2.Advanced Basic -$600
3.Millionaires Workshop -$600
4.Leadership -$1,000
5.Perpetual Money Machine -$1,200
6.Journey Beyond Perception -$2,500
I know one high earning Equinox distributor who in one and half years has spent well over $30,000 on trainings. While this is admirable on his part as there can never be enough training in a Network Marketer's career, the point is he wasn't really given a choice. That is, if he wanted to stay in good graces with Gouldd. And this is despite his excellent income and position with the company. While I have not personally attended any of these trainings, I have numerous testimonials from those that have. They talk of the absolute brilliance of Gouldd on stage coupled with his total narcissistic tendencies, intimidation and humiliation tactics, and excessive use of profanity. After attending these events most felt that they had heard the voice of GOD and couldn't wait to go out and bring more lambs to the Equinox slaughter.
Someone personally witnessed Gouldd at one of these training, during a meeting with executives and IMD's totally emasculate an executive level distributor in front of hundreds and even suggest that this individual get a gun and kill himself. Now many of you might say, good for Bill Gouldd. His marketing brilliance has served him well and he deserves his success. And that all these people who have become involved with Equinox made a conscience mature choice and must live with their decision. To some degree I agree. However, when the tactics used to get people into the business are totally unethical coupled with the power of a cult mentality fueling these endeavors, which very few people can resist, a real problem exists. And this is what puts Gouldd into a whole new category of evil. There are too many victims of this man and his company. Many have lost everything and have gone into massive debt believing the lie. There is no question that this man must be stopped now before he wreaks more havoc on this industry which has been much maligned due to people like himself.
Epilogue: I made several attempts through proper channels to get Gouldd to address his side. I spoke to his PR man who said he would try and get a position paper from Equinox. Plenty of time was provided for this but, to no avail.
Sample of just one of the letters I have received
I am writing to inform you of my experience with Equinox International based in Las Vegas, NK In August of 1994 I answered an ad in the employment section of my local news- paper promising a monthly income of $5,000 to $10,000. Not much information was given during the call; I was urged to come in for a one on one interview by the marketing representative. On arrival I sat in a roomful of prospective recruits like myself and heard convincing stories about how I could earn from $5,000 to $10,000 a month and have the title of Director. The only thing they needed from me was a $5,152 to get started. I had to pay by money order now or the opportunity would be lost.
I received a line of vitamins and health oriented products marketed under Equinox's name.
As a marketer and desk holder, I then had to place ads and screen prospective recruits for the local office. I was encouraged to misrepresent facts the way they were misrepresented to me, by telling false success stories and exaggerations of the truth. It soon became obvious to me that the money being made in this endeavor was by recruiting other marketers and coercing them into spending thousands of dollars on product. Attempts to retail the product were unsuccessful.
It took from the end of October to December 1994 to get part of my money back. Out of my investment of $5,152 Equinox in Las Vegas (after multiple demands) returned $2491.53. It is apparent to me I have been the victim of a "Front End Loading" scheme manned by people who misrepresented the truth from day one. The local office won't return my calls. It has moved twice changing its name both times. D.C.
