Mark Smith, Mark & Tammy Smith, LLC, Tee Daniel, and Darin Kidd v. Nerium International, LLC

ACCEPTED
05-18-00617-CV
FIFTH COURT OF APPEALS
DALLAS, TEXAS
6/5/2018 1:17 PM
LISA MATZ
CLERK
NO. 05-18-00617-CV
IN THE FILED IN
FIFTH COURT OF APPEALS 5th COURT OF APPEALS
DALLAS, TEXAS
DALLAS, TEXAS 6/5/2018 1:17:27 PM
__________________________________________________________________
LISA MATZ
Clerk
MARK SMITH, MARK & TAMMY SMITH, LLC,
DARIN KIDD, AND TEE DANIEL,
Appellants
V.
NERIUM INTERNATIONAL, LLC,
Appellee
__________________________________________________________________
ON APPEAL FROM THE
134TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT,
DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS
__________________________________________________________________
APPELLANTS’ MOTION FOR TEMPORARY EMERGENCY RELIEF
To the Honorable Fifth Court of Appeals:
Appellants Mark Smith, Mark & Tammy Smith, LLC, Darin Kidd, and Tee
Daniel, file their Motion for Temporary Emergency Relief pending resolution of this
interlocutory appeal pursuant to TEX. R. APP. P. 29.3, and would respectfully show the
Court the following:
I. Introduction.
In this interlocutory appeal, Appellants challenge a temporary injunction (CR
700; Appendix A) enjoining them from soliciting salespeople who work for Nerium
International, LLC (“Nerium”), the company Appellants were previously associated
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with. Because this is a significant restraint of trade that hinders Appellants’ ability to
earn a living and puts them at risk of inadvertent violation, Appellants request very
narrow emergency temporary relief to preserve their rights pending resolution of this
appeal. Specifically, Appellants request that this Court modify the temporary
injunction: 1) to conform to the contract between the parties; and 2) to allow
Appellants to be able to avoid inadvertent violations of the injunction. See In re Tex.
Nat. Res. Conserv. Comm’n, 85 S.W.3d 201, 207 (Tex. 2002) (“In its discretion, the court
of appeals may grant temporary orders” in connection with an interlocutory appeal
challenging an injunction).
Temporary orders are necessary to preserve the rights of Appellants pending
appeal and the compelling circumstances warranting such relief are discussed below.
See Oryon Techs., Inc. v. Marcus, 429 S.W.3d 762 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2014, no pet.).
Further, the narrow relief requested herein will not prejudice Nerium because: 1) the
relief under issue 1 is based on the language of the contract between the parties—a
contract that Nerium drafted; and 2) the relief under issue 2 will enable Appellants to
comply with the temporary injunction without fear of inadvertent violations.
II. Background facts.
Nerium is a multi-level marketing company that sells beauty products with a
network of “tens of thousands” of independent distributors referred to as “Brand
Partners.” (CR 53, 57). Brand Partners are independent contractors. (CR 53; CR 98 at
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§ 1.11). Nerium’s Brand Partners earn money by selling Nerium’s products and by
enrolling new Brand Partners to do the same. (Id.).
Nerium has developed “Policies and Procedures” (“P&P”), and requests that
each Brand Partner accept and agree to them. (CR 96; Appendix B). The P&P
contains the non-solicitation provision at issue. Under Section Three of the P&P,
Brand Partners may personally “sponsor” other Brand Partners by introducing them
to Nerium and recruiting them to become Brand Partners. (CR 101). All recruits who
flow from these personally sponsored Brand Partners are called the Brand Partner’s
“downline.” (Id.). Brand Partners receive commissions both on their own sales and on
sales in their downline. (Id.).
Prior to joining Nerium, Mark Smith and his wife, Tammy Smith, worked with
another direct-sales company, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc. (“Prepaid”). (CR 58). While
at Prepaid, the Smiths, without assistance from Nerium, built a large network of
downline distributors. (CR 230). When the Smiths departed Prepaid to associate with
Nerium, 1 they brought key people from the network of their downline distributors
with them. (CR 231).
Nerium asserts that in mid-2017, it implemented a system where Brand
Partners were required to agree to the amended P&P, including the non-solicitation
provision, in order to access their “back office,” a virtual office where Brand Partners
1
The Smiths assert they were never Brand Partners, but can be considered Brand Partners for
purposes of this motion.
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could log on and manage their sales. (CR 60). The portion of the P&Ps on which
Nerium relies is as follows:
11.06 Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition. Brand Partner
acknowledges and agrees that the only way to protect the good will,
confidential, proprietary and trade secret information of Company and
the integrity and stability of the sales force created by other Brand
Partners is to prohibit all Brand Partners from recruiting and soliciting of
other Brand Partners to other companies during the term of this
agreement and for a reasonable time thereafter. Consequently, in
consideration for all of the rights granted by this Agreement, including
the protection this non-solicitation provision affords to Brand Partner,
for the term of this Agreement and for two (2) years after
termination hereof, for any reason, Brand Partner agrees not to,
directly or indirectly, recruit or solicit any of Company’s other
Brand Partners to join other direct sales, multi-level or network
marketing companies.
(CR 116; emphasis added).
Appellants ended their association with Nerium in March 2018, and have
joined Jeunesse Global Holdings, LLC (“Jeunesse”), which is a multi-level marketing
program similar to Nerium. Nerium brought this suit to enjoin Appellants from
soliciting any Nerium Brand Partners to leave Nerium and join Jeunesse (or any other
marketing program). (CR 12). The trial court granted a temporary restraining order
and then a temporary injunction, prohibiting Appellants as follows:
The Injunction Restrained Parties [Appellants] are prohibited from
directly or indirectly recruiting or soliciting any of Nerium’s Brand
Partners to join any other direct sales, multi-level marketing, or network-
marketing company, including but not limited to Jeunesse Global
Holdings, LLC.
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(CR 700; Appendix A). On its face, this injunction prohibits Appellants from
soliciting any of Nerium’s Brand Partners, including those Brand Partners whom
Appellants personally brought into Nerium, such as the extensive downline that the
Smiths brought with them to Nerium when they left Prepaid.
As discussed below, this prohibition is contrary to another provision of the
P&P that specifically authorizes Appellants to promote competing marketing
programs, such as Jeunesse, to Brand Partners who were personally sponsored by
Appellants. (CR 99). These two contractual provisions must be construed together to
allow an exception to the enjoined conduct. Appellants seek temporary emergency
relief modifying the injunction allow Appellants to promote other marketing
programs, including but not limited to Jeunesse, to those Nerium Brand Partners
whom Appellants personally sponsored while at Nerium, as expressly allowed under
the P&P.
In addition, Appellants must be provided sufficient information to be able to
comply with the temporary injunction. They are currently enjoined from “recruiting
or soliciting any of Nerium’s Brand Partners,” but they cannot possibly know the
universe of who is or is not a Nerium Brand Partner. As Nerium asserts in its petition,
Nerium has at least tens of thousands of Brand Partners world-wide. (CR 53, 57).
Appellants are therefore at significant risk of inadvertently violating the injunction by
contacting someone they do not know to be a Brand Partner at Nerium. Accordingly,
Appellants request temporary emergency relief limiting the injunction to recruiting or
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soliciting efforts specifically aimed at persons they know to be Nerium Brand
Partners. 2
III. The Temporary Injunction prohibits conduct that the contract expressly
allows.
The temporary injunction enjoins Appellants from “directly or indirectly
recruiting or soliciting any of Nerium’s Brand Partners to join any other direct sales,
multi-level marketing, or network-marketing company.” There is no exception for
Nerium Brand Partners who were personally sponsored by Appellants to join Nerium.
This would even include any of Appellants’ family members or close friends they
personally brought to Nerium—people who never would have joined Nerium if not
for the efforts of Appellants.
While the injunction tracks the language of the non-solicitation clause in the
P&P, that language cannot be read in isolation. Rather, it must be interpreted and
applied in the context of the contract as a whole. See Guy L. M. Floyd, F.P.C.S., Inc. v.
Vipond, No. 04-05-00559-CV, 2006 WL 1686537, *2 (Tex. App.—San Antonio June
21, 2006, no pet.) (mem. op.) (applying general rules of contract construction to
covenants not to compete); Tummala v. Total Inpatient Serv., P.A., No. 01-14-00458-CV,
2015 WL 5156903, *2 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] August 27, 2015, no pet.)
(mem. op.) (same). Accordingly, this Court must:
2
Alternatively, Appellants are entitled to have a list of current Nerium Brand Partners so they can
know whom not to solicit, although Nerium has refused to produce such a list.
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• “ascertain and give effect to the true intentions of the parties as expressed in
the writing itself.”
• “examine and consider the entire writing in an effort to harmonize and give
effect to all the provisions;”
• construe the entire contract so that no provision “will be rendered
meaningless;”
• “avoid when possible and proper a construction which is unreasonable,
inequitable, and oppressive.”
Tummala, 2015 WL 5156903 at *2 (citing Italian Cowboy Partners, Ltd. v. Prudential Ins.
Co. of Am., 341 S.W.3d 323, 333 (Tex. 2011); other citations omitted). Nerium wishes
to focus solely on the non-solicitation clause, but “[n]o single provision taken alone
will be given controlling effect; rather, all the provisions must be considered with
reference to the whole instrument.” Seagull Energy E&P, Inc. v. Eland Energy, Inc., 207
S.W.3d 342, 345 (Tex. 2006).
Section 1.16 of the P&P states that both during and after a Brand Partner’s
association with Nerium, the Brand Partner is allowed to promote competing products,
services, or marketing programs (such as Jeunesse’s products or marketing programs)
to anyone whom the Brand Partner personally sponsored:
1.16 Other Products. A Brand Partner agrees that no products except
the Company’s products shall be sold or shown at any event where the
Company’s products are sold or shown. During the term of the Brand
Partner Agreement, and for a period of six months thereafter, Brand
Partner is prohibited from selling or promoting any competing
products or services or marketing programs to any of the Company’s
Employees, Agents, or Brand Partners except those Brand Partners
personally sponsored by Brand Partner.
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(CR 99; Appendix B at § 1.16; emphasis added). This provision expressly authorizes a
departing Brand Partner to promote another company’s products or marketing
programs to any Brand Partner personally sponsored by that Brand Partner.
Appellants are therefore contractually authorized to promote a competing marketing
program, such as Jeunesse, to Brand Partners that Appellants personally sponsored
while at Nerium.
These two provisions—§ 1.16 and the non-solicitation clause—can and must
be construed together and harmonized, if possible. Italian Cowboy, 341 S.W.3d at 333.
Harmonization is possible by simply recognizing that the authorization to promote
competing marketing programs to personally-sponsored Brand Partners is an exception to
the non-solicitation clause. This makes sense given the P&P’s recognition of the
significant effort involved in personally sponsoring another Brand Partner. For
example, the P&P requires sponsors to:
• “assure the adequate training of Brand Partners they sponsor;”
• “maintain an ongoing professional leadership association with Brand Partners;”
• “fulfill the obligation of performing a bona fide supervisory, distribution and
selling function” regarding the Brand Partners they sponsor; and
• “provide [Nerium] with evidence of ongoing fulfillment of Sponsor
responsibilities, including training.”
(CR 101; Appendix B at § 3.03). It is the Brand Partner, not Nerium, who puts forth
the effort to personally sponsor another Brand Partner by recruiting, training, and
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supervising them. Appellants, not Nerium, have a vested interest and a personal
relationship with the Brand Partners they personally sponsored.
Harmonizing these two provisions in this manner also renders the non-
solicitation less unreasonable than it otherwise would be.3 The ultimate test for a
restraint of trade is the reasonableness of the covenant. Marsh USA, Inc. v. Cook, 354
S.W.3d 764, 774 (Tex. 2011). Reasonableness must be examined in light of the strong
policies in Texas—a right-to-work state—that “a person’s right to use his own labor
in any lawful employment is … one of the first and highest of civil rights.” Marsh, 364
S.W.3d at 776 (quoting Int’l Printing Pressmen & Assistants’ Union of N. Am. v. Smith, 198
S.W.2d 729, 740 (Tex. 1947)). Unreasonable limitations on a person’s right to change
employers or solicit former co-employees “could hinder legitimate competition
between businesses and the mobility of skilled employees.” Marsh, 354 S.W.3d at 769.
Ignoring § 1.16 and construing the non-solicitation clause so broadly as to prevent
Appellants from promoting their new work-place to even those Brand Partners whom
Appellants personally sponsored is inherently unreasonable.
Alternatively, if the conflict between these two provisions—one that expressly
authorizes certain conduct, and another that purports to prohibit it—renders the non-
solicitation clause ambiguous, any ambiguity must be resolved against Nerium, the
drafter of the P&P. Gonzalez v. Mission Am. Ins. Co., 795 S.W.2d 734, 737 (Tex. 1990)
3
On the merits of this appeal, Appellants will demonstrate other ways in which the non-solicitation
clause is unreasonable and unenforceable.
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(an ambiguous contract is construed against the drafter). While Appellants may be
enjoined from soliciting Brand Partners in general, they cannot be enjoined from
promoting Jeunesse or any other competing marketing program to those Nerium
Brand Partners Appellants personally sponsored.
IV. Appellants must be able to avoid inadvertent violations of the temporary
injunction.
As noted above, Nerium has tens of thousands of Brand Partners worldwide.
The record will demonstrate that Appellants have no way of knowing who is or is not
a Nerium Brand Partner. At their new company, Appellants need to grow their
network of downline distributors to succeed, and recruiting new salespeople is a
critical part of their business, as it was while they were at Nerium.
Appellants are currently enjoined from soliciting or recruiting any Nerium
Brand Partner, but Appellants may not know that a particular person is a Brand
Partner until after making first contact with that person. Appellants previously asked
Nerium, in discovery, to provide a list of current Brand Partners, but Nerium refused
to produce such a list. In order to prevent inadvertent violations of the temporary
injunction, it should be modified to apply only to recruiting or soliciting efforts aimed
at persons Appellants know to be Nerium Brand Partners. “An injunction must be
definite, clear, and concise, leaving the person enjoined no doubt about his duties, and
should not be such as would call on him for interpretations, inferences or
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conclusions.” Vaughn v. Drennon, 202 S.W.3d 308, 316 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2006, pet.
denied).
V. Temporary emergency relief requested.
For the reasons set forth above, Appellants request that this Court enter a
temporary order modifying the temporary injunction as follows4:
The Injunction Restrained Parties are prohibited from directly or
indirectly recruiting or soliciting any of persons who they know to be
Nerium’s Brand Partners to join any other direct sales, multi-level
marketing, or network-marketing company, including but not limited to
Jeunesse Global Holdings, LLC.; provided, however, the Injunction
Restrained Parties may sell or promote any competing products or
services or marketing programs to those Brand Partners personally
sponsored by them.
Appellants request such other relief to which they may be entitled.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Elizabeth Bloch
ELIZABETH G. BLOCH
State Bar No. 02495500
Heidi.bloch@huschblackwell.com
HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP
111 Congress, Suite 1400
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 472-5456
(512) 479-1101 (fax)
RICHARD A. ILLMER
State Bar No. 10388350
Rick.Illmer@HuschBlackwell.com
HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP
2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 2000
4
Appellants, of course, reserve the right to assert other challenges to the temporary injunction on
the merits of this appeal.
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CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE
The undersigned certifies that she conferred with counsel for Appellees via
email and Appellees are opposed to the relief requested herein.
/s/ Elizabeth Bloch
ELIZABETH G. BLOCH
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned certifies that a copy of this motion was served on the
following counsel via the court’s e-filing system and via email on June 5, 2018.
Monica Latin
Neil Burger
Parker Graham
Brent Rubin
CARRINGTON, COLEMAN, SLOMAN & BLUMENTHAL, L.L.P.
901 Main Street, Suite 5500
Dallas, Texas 75202
Fax: (214) 855-1333
Counsel for Appellee.
/s/ Elizabeth Bloch
ELIZABETH G. BLOCH
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APPENDIX A
Page 700
APPENDIX A
Page 701
APPENDIX A
Page 702
APPENDIX A
Page 703
APPENDIX A
Page 704
EXHIBIT A
United States Policies
and Procedures Manual
As a Brand Partner of Nerium InternationalTM, LLC (hereafter the “Company”), you are required to understand and comply with all rules, regulations,
policies and procedures contained in this Brand Partner Policies & Procedures Manual (the “Policy Manual”) that may be published or disseminated
by the Company. The Company reserves the right to amend this Policy Manual by publishing or transmitting amendments as it deems appropriate.
The Company honors all federal, state and local regulations governing network marketing and requires every Brand Partner to do the same.It is,
therefore, very important that you read and understand the information contained in this Policy Manual. If you have any questions regarding any
rule or policy, seek an answer from your Sponsor, upline leader or the Company Department of Ethics and Compliance. The Code of Professional
Ethics is included in Section 12 of this Policy Manual; you should review these materials and make them a part of your planning.
CONTENTS
SECTION ONE: BRAND PARTNER STATUS 2
SECTION TWO: TERM AND RENEWAL 5
SECTION THREE: SPONSORSHIP 6
SECTION FOUR: RESIGNATION/TERMINATION 7
SECTION FIVE: TRANSFERABILITY 9
SECTION SIX: PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 11
SECTION SEVEN: TRADEMARKS, LITERATURE AND ADVERTISING 12
SECTION EIGHT: PAYMENT OF COMMISSIONS 16
SECTION NINE: PURCHASE AND SALE OF PRODUCTS 17
SECTION TEN: RETAIL CUSTOMER RETURNS 21
SECTION ELEVEN: GENERAL PROVISIONS 23
SECTION TWELVE: CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS 26
SECTION THIRTEEN: ADDENDA FOR SPECIFIC STATES 27
APPENDIX B
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SECTION ONE: BRAND PARTNER STATUS
1.01 Becoming a Brand Partner. An applicant becomes an Independent Brand Partner (“Brand Partner”) of the Company when the following
requirements are fulfilled:
a) The applicant’s completed Brand Partner Application and Agreement (the “Agreement”) and any related documents
have been received and accepted by the Company at its corporate office in Addison, Dallas County, Texas;
b) The applicant purchases, at Company cost, a Brand Partner Launch Kit, which contains Brand Partner Forms (including, but
not limited to, Brand Partner Applications and Product Order Forms), Company information and brochures, which
are sales materials (not for resale). This sum is not a service or franchise fee, but rather is strictly to offset costs incurred by the
Company for educational and business materials required for a Brand Partner of the Company; and
c) The Company reserves the right to decline to accept any Agreement for any reason at its sole discretion.
1.02 No Purchase Required. Except as set forth above, no purchase is required to become a Brand Partner.
1.03 Brand Partner Obligations and Rights. A Brand Partner is authorized to sell the Company’s products and services and to participate in
the Company’s Compensation Plan. A Brand Partner may sponsor new Brand Partners into the Company.
1.04 Legal Age. A Brand Partner shall be of legal age to enter into a binding contract in the state of Brand Partner’s residence.
1.05 Common Address. No more than three (3) Brand Partners or Customers may ship product to the same shipping address.
1.06 Married Couples. Married couples and their dependent children shall share a single Brand Partner entity. Brand Partners who subsequently
marry shall maintain separate Brand Partner status unless one is the direct Sponsor of the other, in which case their Brand Partner entities
may be consolidated. When a couple sharing a Brand Partner entity divorces or separates, the Companywill continue to pay commission
checks in the same manner as before the divorce or separation until it receives written notice, signed by both parties or issued by a court
decree, which specifies to whom future commission checks should be paid, provided the couple has complied with the requirements of
Section 5.03, if applicable.
1.07 Simultaneous Interests. A Brand Partner and spouse and dependents may not have simultaneous beneficial interests in more than one
Brand Partner position entity. For example, a shareholder of a corporation that is a Brand Partner may not become an
individual Brand Partner.
1.08 Corporations, Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies and Trusts. Corporations, Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies
or other forms of business organizations and/or trusts may become a Brand Partner of the Company when the Agreement
is accompanied by copies of the following documents within thirty (30) days after the Agreement is accepted; otherwise, the Brand
Partner position may go into suspension:
a) Articles of incorporation, Partnership agreement, trust documents and/or other governing documents, as applicable;
b) A complete list of all directors, officers and shareholders involved in a corporation, all general and limited Partners of a Partnership,
members of a limited liability company or trustee(s) and beneficiaries of a trust, as applicable;
c) A Federal ID number or other identification number as the Company may approve in its sole discretion; and
d) Such other documents and information as may be reasonably requested from time to time.
Shareholders, directors, officers, partners, members, beneficiaries and trustees, as applicable, of a Brand Partner entity shall agree to be,
and the Company will hold each personally liable, to the Company and bound by the Agreement and the Policy Manual.
APPENDIX B
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1.09 Non-Profit Organizations. Non-Profit Organizations may become a Brand Partner of the Company when the Agreement is accompanied
by copies of the following documents within thirty (30) days after the Agreement is accepted; otherwise, the Brand Partner position may
go into suspension:
a) Articles of incorporation, Partnership agreement, trust documents and/or other governing documents, as applicable;
b) A complete list of all directors and officers involved in the Non-Profit Organization and who is authorized to enter into a contract
on behalf of the organization, as applicable;
c) A Federal ID number or other identification number as the Company may approve in its sole discretion;
d) Verification of 501c (3) status; and
e) Such other documents and information as may be reasonably requested from time to time.
Directors, officers, partners and members, as applicable, of a Brand Partner entity shall agree to be, and the Company will hold
each personally liable, to the Company and bound by the Agreement and the Policy Manual.
1.10 Fictitious and/or Assumed Names. A person or entity may not apply as a Brand Partner using a fictitious or assumed name without
Company approval, which may be withheld in the Company’s sole discretion.
1.11 Independent Contractor Status. A Brand Partner is an independent contractor. Brand Partner is not a franchisee, joint venture Partner,
business Partner, employee or agent of the Company, and Brand Partner is prohibited from stating or implying, whether orally or in writing,
otherwise. Brand Partner has no authority to bind the Company to any obligation. The Company is not responsible for payment or
co-payment of any employee benefits. Brand Partner is responsible for liability, health, disability and workmen’s compensation insurance.
Brand Partner sets Brand Partner’s own hours and determines how to conduct Brand Partner’s business, subject to the Agreement and
the Policy Manual.
1.12 Taxation. As an independent contractor, a Brand Partner will not be treated as a franchisee, Partner, employee or agent for federal or
state tax purposes including, with respect to the Internal Revenue Code, Social Security Act, federal unemployment act, state
unemployment acts or any other federal, state or local statute, ordinance, rule or regulation. At the end of each calendar year, the Company
will issue to each Brand Partner IRS Form 1099, or other applicable documentation required by law, for non-employee compensation
of a Brand Partner.
1.13 Legal Compliance. A Brand Partner shall comply with all federal, state and local statutes, regulations and ordinances concerning the
operation of Brand Partner’s business. A Brand Partner is responsible for Brand Partner’s own managerial decisions and expenditures,
including all estimated income and self-employment taxes.
1.14 Brand Partner Identification Number. A Brand Partner is required by federal law to obtain a Social Security number, Federal ID.
number or other approved government-issued identification based on their resident country. Brand Partners will be assigned a Nerium
International ID number for purposes of the Brand Partner’s business with the Company. This number shall be placed on all orders and
correspondence with the Company, hereinafter referred to as the Brand Partner Identification Number (“BPIN”). The Company will
use this number in all internal Brand Partner transactions. Any penalties or fines that may result from the use of an incorrect tax
identification number furnished to the Company will be the responsibility of Brand Partner.
1.15 No Exclusive Territories. There are no exclusive territories for marketing or sponsoring purposes, nor shall any Brand Partner
imply or state that Brand Partner has an exclusive territory. No franchise is granted and there are no exclusive territories for sales or
sponsoring purposes. No geographical limitations exist on Brand Partner sponsoring within the United States or any country in which
the Company is approved to do business.
APPENDIX B
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1.16 Other Products. A Brand Partner agrees that no products except the Company’s products shall be sold or shown at any event where
the Company’s products are sold or shown. During the term of the Brand Partner Agreement, and for a period of six months thereafter,
Brand Partner is prohibited from selling or promoting any competing products or services or marketing programs to any of the Company’s
Employees, Agents or Brand Partners, except those Brand Partners personally sponsored by Brand Partner. Any Brand Partner found in
violation of this subsection risks the loss of buying privileges, possible suspension and/or termination of Brand Partner position and
participation in the Company Compensation Plan, and the Company will pursue all legal recourses to recover damages.
1.17 Cross-Group Selling. Selling to other Company Brand Partners in order to receive credit for bonuses and advancement is prohibited.
Brand Partner shall obtain all of Brand Partner’s Company products, literature and materials directly from the Company. Any violation of
this rule subjects Brand Partner to possible suspension and/or termination.
1.18 Contacts. Brand Partners are to limit all corporate communication to the office and staff of the Company. No direct contact is to be
made with the Company’s partners, suppliers, consultants or hired professionals without the express written approval of the Company.
APPENDIX B
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SECTION TWO: TERM AND RENEWAL
2.01 Term. Subject to the provisions of Section Four, the Agreement shall have a term beginning on the date of acceptance by the Company
and ending one year from the date thereof (the “Anniversary Date”).
2.02 Annual Renewal. A Brand Partner authorizes Company to automatically renew their Brand Partner’s status annually. The annual
renewal fee is posted in the Online Business Center or is available through Nerium Support and is due on the Anniversary Date of
enrollment. A Brand Partner not renewing by the renewal date, as provided herein, shall be deemed to have voluntarily terminated
their Brand Partner position relationship with the Company and will thereby lose their Brand Partner position, all sponsorship rights,
their position in the Compensation Plan, all rights to commissions and bonuses and the ability to purchase products from the Company
at wholesale prices. A Brand Partner who fails to renew his/her Brand Partner status may not reenroll under a new Sponsor for
six (6) months after non-renewal.
2.03 Inactivity. A Brand Partner who is “inactive” in any 180 consecutive-day period shall be automatically deactivated from Brand Partner
status and converted to Retail Customer status instead.
APPENDIX B
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SECTION THREE: SPONSORSHIP
3.01 Sponsoring. A Brand Partner may sponsor other Brand Partners in the United States and any country in which the Company is
authorized. Sponsors shall ensure that each new Brand Partner has received, had access to and understands the Company’s Agreement,
the Policy Manual and the Compensation Plan. A Brand Partner will be compensated only for the generation of sales volumes, not for
sponsoring new Brand Partners into the program.
3.02 Multiple Agreements. If an applicant submits multiple Agreements that list different Sponsors, only the first completed Agreement to
be received by the Company will be accepted. The decision of the Company in recognizing the official Sponsor is final.
3.03 Training Requirement. Brand Partners are required to assure the adequate training of Brand Partners they sponsor. A Sponsor shall
maintain an ongoing professional leadership association with Brand Partners in the organization and shall fulfill the obligation of performing
a bona fide supervisory, distribution and selling function in the sale or delivery of products and services. Upon request, a Brand Partner
must be able to provide the Company with evidence of ongoing fulfillment of Sponsor responsibilities, including training.
3.04 Income Claims. No income projections, including those based solely on mathematical projections or “ideal projections” of the Company
Compensation Plan may be made to prospective Brand Partners. Brand Partner shall not represent Brand Partner’s income as an indication
of the success assured to others, since income success depends upon many variables. Commission checks may not be used as marketing
materials. Brand Partner shall not guarantee or estimate compensation, draws, expenses or deductions attributable to the business to
prospects. Brand Partner shall truthfully and fairly describe and present the Compensation Plan. No past, potential or actual income claims
may be made to prospective Brand Partners. Brand Partner may not guarantee commissions or estimate expenses to prospects.
3.05 Transfer of Sponsorship. Although it is strongly discouraged and is seldom permitted, a Brand Partner may transfer to a different
Sponsor or Sponsorship line, subject to the written approval of the Company, which may be withheld in its sole discretion, subject to the
following conditions:
a) If the transferring Brand Partner is within the same Sponsorship group, notarized signatures are required from all Brand
Partners that are, or may be impacted, by the move;
b) If the transferring Brand Partner is outside the same Sponsorship group, a notarized statement signed by all affected upline
Brand Partners shall be submitted reflecting that each affected party understands and consents to the transfer. Any request
for transfer of Sponsorship shall be first submitted to the Company in writing explaining the reason for the request of transfer;
c) A $50.00 transfer fee shall be paid to the Company;
d) A written request for transfer explaining the exact reason for the requested transfer shall be submitted to the Company; and
e) The final approval of the Company, if granted, will apply only to the Brand Partner making the request and not the Brand Partner’s
downline organization. Brand Partner shall comply with the requirements of section 5.03.
3.06 Preferred Customers Associated with Brand Partner. As a general matter, Nerium recognizes that a potential Brand Partner
should be entitled to sign on with any Brand Partner sponsor of their choosing. However, a unique circumstance exists when an existing
Brand Partner has undertaken a very serious sales and relationship effort to cause a prospective customer to become, not merely a
one-time retail customer, but a committed Preferred Customer. In this situation, Nerium has determined that the very serious efforts of
the selling Brand Partner should be honored and respected. To this extent, Nerium has adopted a policy that a Preferred Customer who
decides to become a Brand Partner will be deemed to be associated and sponsored by the original Brand Partner who
originally expended the effort to sign up the customer as a Preferred Customer.
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SECTION FOUR: RESIGNATION/TERMINATION
4.01 Voluntary Resignation.
a) A Brand Partner may voluntarily terminate Brand Partner’s status by failing to renew or by sending a written notice of
resignation or termination to the Company. Voluntary resignation is effective upon receipt of such notice by the Company.
b) A Brand Partner who resigns or terminates Brand Partner’s status may reapply as a brand Partner at an entry-level position
six (6) months after resignation.
c) When a Brand Partner voluntarily terminates the Agreement, Brand Partner’s sales network shall automatically roll up to the
first upline Brand Partner.
4.02 Suspension. A Brand Partner may be suspended for violating the terms of the Agreement, which includes this Policy Manual, the
Compensation Plan and other documents produced by the Company. When a decision is made to suspend Brand Partner, the Company
will inform Brand Partner in writing that the suspension has occurred effective as of the date of the written notification, the reason for the
suspension and the steps necessary to remove such suspension, if any. The suspension notice will be sent to Brand Partner’s address on
file with the Company pursuant to the notice provisions contained in the Policy Manual. Such suspension may or may not lead to termination
of Brand Partner’s position as so determined by the Company in its sole discretion. If Brand Partner wishes to appeal, the Company
shall receive such appeal in writing within fifteen (15) days from the date of the suspension notice. The Company will review and consider
the suspension and notify Brand Partner in writing of its decision within thirty (30) days from the date of the suspension notice. The decision
of the Company will be final and subject to no further review. The Company may take certain action during the suspension period, including,
but not limited to, the following:
a) Prohibiting Brand Partner from holding Brand Partner meeting or outing as a Brand Partner of the Company or using any of the
Company’s proprietary marks and/or materials;
b) Withholding commissions and bonuses due Brand Partner during the suspension period;
c) Prohibiting Brand Partner from purchasing services and products from the Company; and/or
d) Prohibiting Brand Partner from sponsoring new Brand Partners, contacting current Brand Partners or attending meetings of
Brand Partners.
e) If the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that the violation that caused the suspension is continuing, has not been
satisfactorily resolved, or a new violation involving the suspended Brand Partner has occurred, the suspended Brand Partner
may be terminated.
4.03 Termination. Brand Partner may be terminated for violating the terms of the Agreement, which includes this Policy Manual, the Compensation
Plan and other documents produced by the Company. The Company may terminate a violating Brand Partner without placing Brand Partner
on suspension, in the Company’s sole discretion. Brand Partner will be given notice of the opportunity to be heard by a panel to consider the
issues relating to the grounds for termination. When the decision is made to terminate Brand Partner, the Company will inform Brand
Partner in writing at the address in Brand Partner’s file that the termination has occurred effective thirty (30) days from the date of the
written notification.
4.04 Appeal. If Brand Partner wishes to appeal the termination, the Company must receive the appeal in writing within fifteen (15) days from
the date of notice of termination. If no appeal is received within the fifteen (15) day period, the termination will automatically be deemed
final. If Brand Partner files a timely notice of appeal, the Company will review the appeal and notify Brand Partner of its decision within
ten (10) days after receipt of the appeal. The decision of the Company will be final and subject to no further review. In the event the
termination is not rescinded, the termination will remain effective as of the date stated in the original termination notice.
4.05 Effect of Termination. Immediately upon termination, the terminated Brand Partner:
a) Shall remove and permanently discontinue the use of the trademarks, service marks, trade names and any signs, labels, stationery
or advertising referring to or relating to any Company product, plan or program;
b) Shall cease representing themselves as a Brand Partner of the Company;
c) Shall lose all rights to Brand Partner’s position and position in the Compensation Plan and to all future commissions and
bonuses resulting there from; and
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d) Shall take all action reasonably required by the Company relating to protection of its confidential information. The Company has the
right to offset any amounts owed by Brand Partner to the Company from commissions or other bonuses due to Brand Partner. The
Company may also offset an estimate of the reasonable amount that Brand Partner owes under the terms of the indemnity obligation
incurred pursuant to Section 11.01 herein.
4.06 Reapplication. The acceptance of any reapplication of a terminated Brand Partner, or the application of any family member of a
terminated Brand Partner, shall be in the sole discretion of the Company and may be denied.
4.07 State Laws. Where these provisions on termination violate the public policy of state laws, the applicable state law shall apply.
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SECTION FIVE: TRANSFERABILITY
5.01 Acquisition of Business. Any Brand Partner desiring to acquire an interest in another Brand Partner’s business shall first terminate his
her Brand Partner position and wait six (6) months before becoming eligible for such a purchase. All such transactions shall be fully
disclosed to the Company and are subject to approval by the Company in advance.
5.02 Transfers to Brand Partner. Except as expressly set forth herein, Brand Partner may not sell, assign or otherwise transfer Brand
Partner’s entity (or rights thereto) to another Brand Partner or to an individual who has an interest in Brand Partner entity. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a Brand Partner may transfer the Brand Partner position to the Sponsor, subject to the conditions of Section 5.03. In such
event, the Sponsor’s Brand Partner position and the transferring Brand Partner’s Brand Partner position shall be merged into one entity.
5.03 Conditions to Transferability. Brand Partner may not sell, assign, merge or transfer Brand Partner’s position (or rights thereto) without
the prior written approval of the Company, and any such transfer, if approved, is subject to the following conditions:
a) Brand Partner must be in good standing, and must strictly adhere to all Nerium Policies and Procedures and not currently
be on probation or suspension for Policy Compliance Violations.
b) The Company possesses the right of first refusal with respect to any sale, assignment, transfer or merger of any Brand Partner
position. A Brand Partner wishing to sell, assign, transfer or merge the Brand Partner position shall first provide the Company
with the right and option to make such a purchase or receive such transfer in writing on the same terms and conditions as any
outstanding offer. The Company will advise Brand Partner within ten (10) business days after receipt of such notice of its decision
to accept or reject the offer. If the Company fails to respond within the ten (10) day period or declines such offer, Brand Partner
may make the same offer or accept any outstanding offer which is on the same terms and conditions as the offer to the Company
to any person or entity who is not a Brand Partner, married to or a dependent of a Brand Partner or who has any interest in a
Brand Partner position.
c) The selling Brand Partner shall provide the Company an executed “Sale of Nerium International Brand Partner Position”
form and with a copy of all documents which detail the transfer, including without limitation, the name of the purchaser,
the purchase price and terms of purchase and payment;
d) A transfer fee of $50.00 shall accompany the transfer documents;
e) The documents shall contain a covenant made by the selling Brand Partner for the benefit of the proposed purchaser not to
compete with the purchaser or attempt to divert or sponsor any existing Brand Partner of the Company for a period of six (6)
months from the date of the sale or transfer; and
f) Upon approval of sale, transfer or assignment being approved, the seller must provide a notarized Bill of Sale for the position
being sold as proof of payment of the stated purchase price before the position will be transferred to the potential buyer.
Upon approval by the Company in writing, the buying party shall assume the position of the selling Brand Partner and shall execute
a current agreement and all such other documents as may be reasonably required by the Company.
g) The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to stipulate additional terms and conditions prior to approval of any
proposed sale or transfer. The Company reserves the right to disapprove any sale or transfer.
h) A Brand Partner must have had a completed product sale in the last 90 days.
i) Brand Partner must have enrolled or renewed their Brand Partner position within the last twelve (12) months or have an active
Auto-Delivery template and an active Auto-Delivery Order that was paid with the selling Brand Partner’s credit card and shipped
to the shipping address on their customer record within the last 30 days.
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j) A Brand Partner position being sold must have personally sponsored at least one (1) Brand Partner in the last twelve (12) months.
k) The new owner will assume the original enrollment date of the position being sold.
l) If the position enrollment date is thirty (30) days or greater, the new owner will not be eligible to earn an iPad.
m) If the position being purchased has achieved a rank of Senior Director or higher, the purchaser must maintain a “Paid As”
rank equal to the Highest Achieved rank for that position for ninety (90) days before they may be eligible to receive the benefits of the
Lexus program.
5.04 Circumvention of Policies. If it is determined, in the Company’s sole discretion, that a Brand Partner position was transferred in
an effort to circumvent compliance with the Agreement, this Policy Manual or the Compensation Plan, the transfer will be declared null
and void, and the Brand Partner position will revert back to the transferring Brand Partner who will be treated as if the transfer had never
occurred from the reversion day forward. If necessary, and in the Company’s sole discretion, appropriate action, including without limitation,
termination may be taken against the transferring Brand Partner to ensure compliance with the Agreement and this Policy Manual.
5.05 Succession. Notwithstanding any other provision of Section Five, upon the death of a Brand Partner, the Brand Partner’s position will
pass to Brand Partner’s successors in interest as provided by law; however, the Company will not recognize such a transfer until the
successor in interest has executed a current Agreement and submitted certified copies of the death certificate and will, trust or other
instrument required by the Company to evidence transfer of ownership. The successor will thereafter be entitled to all the rights and be
subject to all the obligations of a Company Brand Partner.
5.06 Reentry. Any Brand Partner who transfers their Brand Partnership shall wait for six (6) months after the effective date of such transfer
before becoming eligible to reapply to become a new Brand Partner.
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SECTION SIX: PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
6.01 Confidentiality Agreement. During the term of the Agreement, the Company may supply to Brand Partner confidential, proprietary or
trade secret information including, but not limited, to genealogical and downline reports, customer lists, customer information developed
by the Company or developed for and on behalf of the Company by Brand Partner (including, but not limited, to credit data, customer
and Brand Partner profiles and product purchase information), Brand Partner lists, manufacturer and supplier information, business reports,
commission or sales reports and such other financial and business information which the Company may designate as confidential,
proprietary or trade secret. All such information (whether in written or electronic form) is confidential, proprietary or trade secret to the
Company and is transmitted to Brand Partner in strictest confidence on a “need to know” basis for use solely in Brand Partner’s business
with the Company. Brand Partner shall use Brand Partner’s best efforts to keep confidential, proprietary or trade secret information protected
and shall not disclose any such information to any third party, directly or indirectly. Brand Partner shall not use the information to compete
with the Company or for any purpose other than promoting the Company’s program and its products and services. Upon expiration,
non-renewal or termination of the Agreement, Brand Partner shall discontinue the use of such confidential, proprietary or trade secret
information and promptly return any confidential, proprietary or trade secretinformation in their possession to the Company.
6.02 Copyright Restrictions. With respect to product purchases from the Company, Brand Partner shall abide by all manufacturers’ use
restrictions and copyright protections.
6.03 Vendors’ and Other Business Associates’ Confidentiality. The Company’s business relationships with its vendors, manufacturers,
suppliers and researchers are confidential. Brand Partner shall not contact, directly or indirectly, speak to or communicate with any supplier,
manufacturer or researcher of the Company except at a Company-sponsored event at which the supplier, manufacturer or
researcher is present at the request of the Company.
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SECTION SEVEN: TRADEMARKS, LITERATURE AND ADVERTISING
7.01 Trademarks.
a) The Company’s name, trademarks, service marks and copyrighted materials are owned by the Company, including the names
of the Company’s products. The use of such marks and materials shall be in strict compliance with the Policy Manual.
Only the Company is authorized to produce and market products and literature under these trademarks. Use of the Company name on
any item not produced or authorized by the Company is prohibited, except in the manner described below:
Mary Jones
Independent Brand Partner
Nerium InternationalTM
b) Trademark usage, unless otherwise as stated above: Independent Brand Partners who wish to use the Company’s name, trademarks,
service marks and copyrighted materials for Internet marketing purposes only will have the option to participate in the Company’s
Internet Licensee Program, and must adhere to the Company’s Policies within this document, as well as the requirements of the program.
Email compliance@nerium.com for additional information.
7.02 Telephone, Yellow and White Page Listing. Brand Partner is not permitted to use the Company’s trade name in advertising in the white
or yellow page sections of the telephone book. Brand Partner is not permitted to list their telephone numbers under the Company’s trade
name without first obtaining prior written approval from the Company. If approval is granted for a listing, it shall be stated in the following
manner:
Jones, Mary
Independent Brand Partner
Nerium InternationalTM
7.03 Imprinted Checks. Brand Partner is not permitted to use the Company trade name or any of its trademarks or service marks on
their business or personal checking accounts; however, Brand Partner may imprint Brand Partner’s business checks as being a
“Nerium InternationalTM, LLC Independent Brand Partner.”
7.04 Imprinted Business Cards or Letterheads. Brand Partner is not permitted to “create” Brand Partner’s own stationary, business cards
or letterhead graphics if the Company’s trade name and/or trademarks are used. Only the approved Company graphics version and wording
are permitted and letterhead shall be ordered either from the Company directly or from the Company-licensed independent contractor.
7.05 Print and Electronic Advertising. Only Company-produced or -approved (in writing and in advance) promotional and advertising
materials may be used to advertise or promote a Brand Partner’s business or sell products or services of the Company in any print or
electronic media, including on an Internet website. No person shall use the Company name, logos, trademarks or copyrighted material
in any advertising not produced by the Company or without prior express written permission from the Company. The Company’s literature
and materials may not be duplicated or reprinted without prior written permission of the Company. The Company’s consent or approval
may be withheld at its sole discretion. Banners, trade show materials and the like must be approved in writing by the Company.
7.06 Internet. The Company maintains a presence on the Internet on its own website. Brand Partner is prohibited from using any trademarks
of Company, including the name Nerium InternationalTM, LLC, the Nerium InternationalTM, LLC logo, and the name of any of the products,
or any other trade names, trademarks or distinctive phrases or remarks used by Company, including those related to any product or any
term confusingly similar thereto - in any form on the internet. If a Brand Partner desires to provide a link from Brand Partner’s personal web
site directly to the Company’s website, the Brand Partner’s request must be in writing and is subject to Company approval in its sole
discretion. No link may be established until the Brand Partner receives written approval from Nerium International.
7.07 Protection of Minors. The Nerium International website is not designed for or targeted at children. We do not knowingly collect, use
or disseminate any personally identifiable information from children under the age of 18. If, however, we become aware that personally
identifiable information regarding a child under the age of 18 has been collected at the Nerium International site, we will use such information
for the sole purpose of contacting a parent or guardian of the child to obtain verifiable parental consent. If we cannot obtain consent after
a reasonable period of time, or if when contacted, a parent or guardian requests that we do not use or maintain such information, we will
make reasonable efforts to delete it from our records. Upon request by a parent or guardian, Nerium International will provide a description
of the specific types of personal information collected from a child who is under the age of 18.
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7.08 Gifts, Enticement and Special Discounts.
a) Nerium Independent Brand Partners are prohibited from using print, electronic or verbal advertisements to entice potential prospects,
including Preferred Customers, to join their organization or team, which includes, but is not limited to; special rewards, incentives,
bonuses, products or guarantee of downline placements, which can be determined upon Company’s sole discretion.
b) Nerium Independent Brand Partners are not allowed to use the Placement Suite as a form of incentive and/or enticement to leverage
potential prospects, including Preferred Customers, in any public or private forum for joining their Nerium business.
7.09 Social Media.
a) As a Brand Partner for Nerium International, you are not required to maintain a presence in social media. Should you choose to do so,
however, you must adhere to the guidelines and policies set forth by Nerium International. These guidelines and policies are designed to
ensure the uniformity and professionalism of the Nerium International brand which, in turn, benefits your business.
b) Nerium International maintains an online presence for the benefit of the company as a whole, which includes Customers, Brand Partners
and the general public. We ask that in our public forums (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) you keep your comments relevant to all.
Our blog (neriumblog. net) is a resource for you to ask questions related to the business side of Nerium International, and
our corporate staff is available to help.
c) You may not use the official corporate Nerium pages to drive business, solicit business, drive people to your own site or recruit Brand
Partners. Our trademarked brand name cannot be used to drive traffic away from our corporate site.
d) You cannot represent your independent business as the corporate office. All Brand Partner communications, both in print and online,
must clearly appear as coming from an independent representative of the company and not lead the consumer to think they may be
interacting with the corporate office.
e) You are welcome to use the term “Independent Brand Partner for Nerium International” in the name/description of various social media
sites for your business. You cannot use the word “official” or anything similar. You cannot create an alias for any sites like Twitter or others
that use any permutation of the Nerium International name. For further clarification regarding naming, please refer to Section 7.06.
f) When posting information online related to Nerium International, please consider if the information you are sharing is beneficial to your
business and to the company as a whole. Do not represent yourself in any way online that detracts from the Nerium International brand.
All Independent Brand Partners agree, acknowledge and affirmatively accept any content posted (photos, testimonials, statements, marketing
materials, etc.) on a social networking website including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, Flickr, etc., must adhere
to the Print and Electronic Guidelines found in Section 7.05. Health/medical claims, income claims or disparaging comments, remarks, etc
are expressly prohibited and will not be approved or allowed.
g) In the event of your voluntary or involuntary termination as a Nerium International Independent Brand Partner, you are required to remove
all references to Nerium International from social networking profile(s) within ten (10) days.
h) Should Nerium International discover non-compliant profiles and/or websites, you will be required to remove the material immediately.
i) Infractions of any social media guideline may result in disciplinary actions up to and including termination of your
Brand Partner account.
j) Nerium International requires that all Brand Partners identify themselves as independent business owners and should therefore adhere
to the naming convention of their Facebook page and all other social media networks to read as follows:“John Doe, Independent Brand
Partner, Nerium International.” On Facebook only are you allowed to use “Nerium” in your vanity URL if its naming convention is the same
as your Nerium replicated site i.e. “Facebook.com/john doe.nerium”. This is the only acceptable use of the word “Nerium” in a
URL.
k) All Independent Brand Partners are prohibited from advertising “Nerium” on websites such as Groupon, Facebook offers, Twitter
ads, or any website or social media networks with a coupon or special discount offer, including and not limited to the purchase of ads with the
“Nerium” name used in the naming conventions of URL domains, subdomains or in the advertising on pay per click ads and/or adwords,
etc.
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7.10 Endorsements. No endorsements by a Company officer or any third party may be asserted, except as expressly communicated in the
Company literature and communications. Federal and state regulatory agencies do not approve or endorse direct selling programs. Therefore,
a Brand Partner may not represent or imply, directly or indirectly, that the Company’s program, products or services has been approved or
endorsed by any governmental agency.
7.11 Independent Communications. Subject to the restrictions imposed by Section Seven, Brand Partner is encouraged to distribute information
and direction to Brand Partner’s respective downline; however, Brand Partner shall identify and distinguish between personal communications
and the official communications of the Company.
7.12 Medical Claims. No medical claims (expressed or implied) may be made for any Company product by Brand Partner.
7.13 Brand Partner Services. The Company provides every active Brand Partner with management and training communications, timely
delivery of product and sales materials and a computer report of sales made in their marketing group for the pay period in which
commissions and overrides are earned and paid.
7.14 Pricing. Pricing for products sold on the Internet must adhere to the general rules for all such retail sales, as outlined in Section 9.13.
7.15 Recordings. Brand Partner may not produce or reproduce for sale or personal use products sold by the Company or any Company-produced
literature, audio or video material, presentations, events or speeches, including conference calls. Video and/or audio taping of Company
meetings and conferences is strictly prohibited. Still photography is allowable at the discretion of the meeting host.
7.16 Telephone Answering. Brand Partner may not answer the telephone by saying “Nerium International” or in any other manner that would
lead the caller to believe that the call has reached the corporate offices of the Company.
7.17 Liability. Violation of any of the rules contained in this Policy Manual is grounds for termination of the individual’s Brand Partner status.
The violator may also be liable for damages resulting from unauthorized use of the Company copyrights, trademarks and materials.
7.18 iPad Incentive Rules. There can be no mention of iPad in any type of promotion or incentive program that is presented to the public
at large, either in print or electronically. It is not acceptable to have a picture of someone with his or her iPad and communication
involving the iPad cannot explain how to win, earn or obtain an iPad by working with Nerium.
7.19 Lexus and iPad Payout Option.
a) Lexus bonus earners who choose the Nerium bottle option will receive four (4) bottles of Age-Defying Night Cream and four
(4) bottles of Age-Defying Day Cream, and receive this payout option up to a maximum of six (6) qualifying months. The Lexus
Car Payment Option will remain available once the bottles option has ended.
b) iPad bonus earners who choose the Nerium bottle option will receive a one (1) time pay out of four (4) bottles of Age-Defying
Night Cream and four (4) bottles of Age-Defying Day Cream.
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SECTION EIGHT: PAYMENT OF COMMISSIONS
8.01 Basis for Commissions. Commissions. Commissions and other bonuses cannot be paid until a completed Agreement has been
received and accepted by the Company prior to the end of the month in which the sale is made. Commissions are paid ONLY on the
sale of Company services and products. No commissions are paid on the purchase of a Brand Partner kit or for sponsoring Brand Partners.
8.02 Calendar. Commissions, overrides and bonuses are calculated and paid on the current pay period information. A Brand Partner is promoted
to the highest rank in which he/she qualifies at the close of each bonus period. Commissions and bonuses are paid based on the “Paid As”
rank.
8.03 Commission and Bonus Payment Date. Commissions, overrides and bonuses are calculated and paid on the current pay period
information. A Brand Partner is promoted to the highest rank in which he/she qualifies at the close of each bonus period. Commissions
and bonuses are paid based on the “Paid As” rank.
8.04 Minimum Payment. The minimum amount for payment of commissions and overrides is $15.00; all monies not paid will be included in
the next bonus payment. Processing fees vary based on payment options and may be deducted from all commission and bonus payments.
8.05 Offset of Commissions. Any commissions or bonuses earned and paid on products returned is the obligation of and shall be repaid to
the Company by the Brand Partner originally paid such commissions or bonuses. The Company has the right to offset such amounts against
future commissions and other bonuses paid or owed to such Brand Partner and Brand Partner’s upline who participated in an override.
8.06 Tax Reporting for Commissions. Any commissions paid to a Brand Partner are subject to State and Federal tax laws. Payments made in the
form of incentive trips, free product (3UR Free, NGB, in lieu of Lexus lease) and/or Lexus car payments are all subject to taxation as income
and will be reported annually on a 1099 prepared for the Brand Partner. The Brand Partner is responsible to file all income and expense
reports appropriate for operating a home-based business.
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SECTION NINE: PURCHASE AND SALE OF PRODUCTS
9.01 Purchase Requirement. No product purchase is required in order for an applicant to become a Brand Partner, although purchases or
sales of products may be required in order to advance in the Compensation Plan. Brand Partners who have had their Agreement accepted
by the Company may buy products at wholesale prices directly from the Company.
9.02 Stockpiling Prohibited. The success of the Company depends on sales to the ultimate consumer and all forms of stockpiling are strictly
prohibited including, but not limited to, purchases of products primarily for purposes of qualifying for additional compensation. The Company
recognizes that Brand Partner will purchase products for Brand Partner’s own use, however, the Company strictly prohibits the purchase
of products in unreasonable amounts in an attempt to qualify for advancement in the Compensation Plan.
9.03 70% Rule. In order to qualify for commissions and bonuses, Brand Partner shall certify on the product order form that the Brand Partner
has sold to non-Brand Partner consumers or used at least 70% of all products previously purchased. Brand Partners placing telephone
orders to the Company are also required to comply with this rule and may be requested by the Company to verify compliance. In its
effort to support and enforce the retail sales/70% Rule, the Company, on a quarterly basis, will conduct random audit verification follow-ups.
Representatives of the Company will contact Brand Partners to further verify compliance with the 70% Rule. Brand Partners should maintain
records and be prepared to assist the Company representative in their task.
9.04 Retail Sales Rule. Requiring sales to at least five (5) retail customers per month.
9.05 Preferred Customer Rules. A Preferred Customer must personally opt in to the monthly Auto-Delivery Order program. Invalid Preferred
Customer orders are defined as orders submitted as Preferred Customer orders for qualification purposes without the written authorization
from the customer. If a Nerium International Brand Partner submits a Preferred Customer order without the Customer’s consent, the
Brand Partner will be subject to disciplinary action, including termination. Preferred Customer orders cannot be paid by or shipped to a
Nerium International Brand Partner for any reason. No exceptions.
9.06 Ordering Methods. All orders submitted to the Company shall have the Brand Partner’s or Customer’s Company issued identification
number placed thereon to assist the Company in processing and shipping the order properly. Failure to provide this information may result
in a delay in processing the order.
9.07 Direct Purchase. Brand Partner may purchase Brand Partner’s product needs directly from the Company. Should a Brand Partner obtain
product from Brand Partner’s Sponsor or upline Brand Partner’s personal inventory and a replacement product order is not placed and
processed through the Company, no commissions or overrides will be paid by the Company on such transactions.
9.08 Payment Options. Purchases may be paid by money order, cashier’s check, personal check or credit cards, unless specifically stated
otherwise by the Company. Pre-printed name, physical address and phone number must be on all checks. Personal checks will be accepted
only for payments in an amount not greater than $1,000. In the event a check or credit card is declined, Brand Partner will be contacted
for an alternate form of payment and may be subject to an additional processing fee. No orders will be shipped without prior payment.
Returned checks are subject to a $30.00 returned check fee.
9.09 Shipping and Handling. It is the ordering Brand Partner’s sole responsibility to indicate (a) the method and means of shipping and (b)
the destination address.
9.10 Product Delivery. Upon clearance of payment, the Company processes for shipment the products and materials ordered. If an item is
temporarily not available (“TNA”), the consignee will be notified on the packing list included with the shipment. If a TNA should occur, the
item(s) will be shipped as soon as available and usually within ten (10) days of the date the original order was received. Back orders may
be canceled by Brand Partner by written request received by the Company prior to shipment.
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9.11 Damaged Goods. The shipping company is responsible for any damage that occurs after it takes physical custody of the products. Therefore,
it is important that the damage is reported promptly in order to allow Nerium International to file a claim with the shipper. The purchaser
of Company products who receives damaged goods shall comply with the following procedures:
a) Accept delivery;
b) Before the driver leaves, note on the delivery receipt the number of boxes that appear to be damaged and require the driver to
acknowledge the damage in writing;
c) Save the damaged products or boxes for inspection by the shipping agent; and
d) Contact Nerium International Support Department to arrange for a replacement order to be shipped and a damaged goods
claim to be filed.
9.12 Price Changes. Prices for the Company’s products, services and literature are subject to change without prior notice.
9.13 Receipts for Retail Pricing. Brand Partner will provide all retail purchasers of the Company products with written receipts. Although the
Company provides a suggested retail price as a guideline, Brand Partner may sell the Company products at whatever retail price they and
their customers may agree upon, as long as the price is not below the Preferred Customer price.
9.14 Sales Tax. To ensure compliance with the sales and use tax requirement of each state, unless required otherwise by state law, the Company
may, at its option, collect and remit all applicable sales and use taxes on products, promotional materials and services sold to Brand
Partners and retail customers based on the suggested retail price of the product. The applicable rate of tax due shall be based on the
address to which the product and/or material are shipped. If Brand Partner requests a tax exempt purchase for products purchased for
resale (not for personal use), Brand Partner shall provide the Company with a true and correct copy of a current resale certificate from the
applicable state.
9.15 Shipping Loss. The Company will track all deliveries shipped. Brand Partner should contact the Company immediately upon being
made aware of any shipping problem.
9.16 Inaccurate Delivery. If a product is shipped in error by the Company, the unordered merchandise may be returned at the Company’s
expense provided the following steps are taken:
a) Brand Partner or retail customer notifies the Company within five (5) days of receipt of the order;
b) A copy of the shipping or packing slip shall be enclosed with the proper forms required by the Company completed and executed
by Brand Partner or retail customer; and
c) Products shall be returned in original containers and shall be packed properly to prevent damage in return shipment.
9.17 Refused Shipments. Should Brand Partner refuse delivery on any order placed with the Company, the Company shall have the right
to place Brand Partner in suspension pending resolution of the refusal of delivery. Neither Brand Partner nor a retail customer shall
refuse any shipment from the Company unless prior approval of the Company has been obtained. Should the receiving party of any order
shipped from the Company refuse to accept delivery and the shipment is returned to the Company, the ordering Brand Partner’s
status will be suspended pending resolution of the delivery refusal. Non-accepted delivery charges will be debited to Brand Partner’s
account. If the Company determines that a valid reason exists for refusing shipment, it will instruct the Brand Partner or retail customer
on the proper procedure for a return.
9.18 Retail Outlets. The integrity of the Company’s marketing plan is built upon person-to-person, one-on-one and in-home presentation
methods of sale. Selling Company products through any chain of retail stores, including but not limited to drugstores, pharmacies,
supermarkets, health food stores, shopping mall booths and the like, restaurants or online shopping malls including, but not limited to,
eBay, Craigslist, etc. is strictly prohibited. Selling Company products by Brand Partners through retail outlets or professional offices that
are not part of chains and are owned or operated by the Brand Partner is acceptable upon written approval by the Company.
9.19 Service-Oriented Establishments. It is permissible to take orders for Company products in businesses such as health spas, health
resorts or similar establishments.
9.20 Medical Offices. Medical doctors and other health professionals may sell Company products from their offices only if the doctor or health
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9.21 Trade Shows. With written authorization from the Company, Company products or services and opportunity may be displayed at trade shows
by Brand Partners. Request for participation in trade shows must be received in writing by the Company at least two weeks prior to the
show. Written authorization from the Company must be received before participating in the trade show. Unless written authorization is secured
from the Company, Company products or services and opportunity are the only products or services and/or opportunity that may be offered
in the trade show booth. Only Company produced marketing materials may be displayed or distributed. No Brand Partner may sell or promote
the Company’s products or services or business opportunity at flea markets, swap meets or garage sales. Company tradeshow authorization
does not guarantee exclusive participation in any tradeshow.
9.22 International Sales. No independent Brand Partner may export or sell directly or indirectly to others who export the Company’s products,
literature, sales tools or promotional material relating to the Company, its products or services or the Company’s program from the
United States or its possessions or territories to any other country. Independent Brand Partners who choose to sponsor internationally may
do so only in countries in which the Company has registered to operate its business and must comply fully with the Rules of Operation of
a Company Brand Partner in that country. Any violation of this rule constitutes a material breach of this contract and is grounds for immediate
termination of the Brand Partner position.
9.23 Product/Services Claims. Brand Partner shall make no claim, representation or warranty concerning any product or service of the
Company, except for those contained in the official Company materials. Brand Partner can only promote benefits of Nerium products using
language contained in the official Company materials. Brand Partners may not make any medical, therapeutic, curative or treatment claims
regarding any Nerium product. Brand Partners may only use “Before” and “After” photos provided by the Company. The use of any
unauthorized “Before” and “After” photos is prohibited.
9.24 Promotional Items. All promotional items that bear the Company name or logo shall be purchased solely from the Company or its
approved supplier unless prior written permission is obtained from the Company.
9.25 Telemarketing. Telemarketing is strictly prohibited. The Federal Trade Commision and Federal Communications Commission each
have laws that restrict telemarketing practices. Both federal agencies (as well as a number of states) have “do not call” regulations as part
of their telemarketing laws. Although the Company does not consider Brand Partners to be “telemarketers” in the traditional sense of
the word, these government regulations broadly define the term “telemarketer” and “telemarketing” so that your inadvertent action of
calling someone whose telephone number is listed on the federal “Do Not Call” registry could cause you to violate the law. Moreover, these
regulations must not be taken lightly, as they carry significant penalties.
a) Therefore, Brand Partners must not engage in telemarketing in the operation of their Company businesses. The term
“telemarketing” means the placing of one or more telephone calls to an individual or entity to induce the purchase of a Company
product or service or to recruit them for the Company opportunity. “Cold calls” made to prospective customers or Brand Partners
that promote either Company products or services or the Company opportunity constitute telemarketing and are prohibited. However,
a telephone call placed to a prospective customer or Brand Partner (a “prospect”) is permissible under the following situations:
b) You may call family members, personal friends and acquaintances. An “acquaintance” is someone with whom you have at least
a recent first-hand relationship within the preceding three (3) months. Bear in mind, however, that if you make a habit of “card
collecting” with everyone you meet and subsequently call them, the FTC may consider this a form of telemarketing that is not
subject to this exemption. Thus, if you engage in calling “acquaintances,” you must make such calls on an occasional basis only
and not make this a routine practice;
c) The prospect’s personal inquiry or application regarding a product or service offered by the Brand Partner happens within
the three (3) months immediately preceding the date of such a meeting;
d) If the Brand Partner has an established business relationship with the prospect. An “established business relationship” is
a relationship between a Brand Partner and a prospect based on the prospect’s purchase, rental or lease of goods or services
from the Brand Partner or a financial transaction between the prospect and the Brand Partner within the eighteen (18) months
immediately preceding the date of a telephone call to induce the prospect’s purchase of a product or service; and
e) If the Brand Partner receives written and signed permission from the prospect authorizing the Brand Partner to call. The authorization
must specify the telephone number(s) which the Brand Partner is authorized to call.
f) In addition, Brand Partners shall not use automatic telephone dialing systems relative to the operation of their Company
businesses. The term “automatic telephone dialing system” means equipment which has the capacity to (a) store or produce
telephone numbers to be called, using a random or sequential number generator, and (b) to dial such numbers.
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SECTION TEN: RETAIL CUSTOMER RETURNS
10.01 Retail Customer Guarantee. The Company offers a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee to all retail customers within thirty
(30) days of purchase. If a retail customer is dissatisfied with any of the Company products for any reason, then that retail customer
may return that product in its original package and shipping containers, with original proof of purchase, to the original selling Brand
Partner for either a replacement or a full refund of the purchase price minus shipping. Customer is responsible for cost of return freight.
10.02 Warranties. Except as expressly stated herein, the Company makes no warranty or representation as to the merchantability, fitness for
a particular purpose, workmanship or any other warranty concerning any product or service purchased from or through the Company. The
manufacturer’s warranty will be transferred to Brand Partner.
10.03 Buyer’s Right to Cancel. Federal law grants a buyer the right to cancel certain sales without penalty prior to midnight of the third business
day after the transaction. This rule covers retail consumer sales of $25.00 or more that occur away from the seller’s main office. The
Company sales order form contains all legally required notices. Two copies shall be given to the buyer by Brand Partner on every sale. In
addition, the Brand Partner shall orally inform the buyer of the three-day right to cancel at the time the buyer purchases the goods.
10.04 Retail Customer Refunds. The Company will replace the returned retail product to the Brand Partner provided the following procedures
and conditions are met:
a) The product shall be returned to the Company by the Brand Partner who purchased it from the Company within sixty (60) days
of the date of the original purchase;
b) Brand Partner shall obtain a return authorization number from the Company customer service department within ten (10) days of
the return date to Brand Partner and prior to returning any product; and
c) The product shall be received by the Company within twenty (20) days of the return date to Brand Partner.
d) The return shall be accompanied by the following:
1.) A signed statement from the retail customer identifying the reason for the return;
2.) A copy of the original retail sales receipt;
3.) The unused portion of the product is returned in its original container; and
4.) The name, address and telephone number of the retail customer.
e) A signed statement from the retail customer identifying the reason for the return;
f) A copy of the original retail sales receipt;
g) The unused portion of the product is returned in its original container; and
h) The name, address and telephone number of the retail customer.
i) Proper shipping carton(s) and packing materials shall be used in packaging the product(s) being returned for replacement, and
the best and most economical means of shipping is suggested.
j) The Brand Partner will pay the cost of shipping replacement product(s).
k) The Company will replace the product, but will not refund to any Brand Partner the purchase price of any retail
customer returns.
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10.05 Quality Control. The Company will replace, within twelve (12) months of purchase, any product found to be defective; however, no
product shall be returned to the Company without prior written approval. Exchanges only. No Refunds.
a) A written replacement request shall be submitted stating the reason for the request and accompanied by a copy of the Purchase
Order Form or packing slip. Product returned without prior authorization will not be accepted.
b) The Company will provide the Brand Partner with a return authorization number and will instruct Brand Partner where to ship the
product for inventory verification. Upon receipt and verification of the product, the Company will ship out replacement product as
appropriate.
c) The Company will not replace any product previously certified by Brand Partner as sold under the 70% Rule, sold at a special
discount or sold as a promotional item.
10.06 Termination Returns.
a) A Brand Partner who terminates Brand Partner’s business relationship with the Company has the right to return for repurchase
on commercially reasonable terms currently marketable inventory including Company-produced promotional materials, sales
tools and kits in possession of Brand Partner and purchased by Brand Partner for resale prior to the date of termination. For
purposes hereof, “reasonable commercial terms” shall mean the repurchase of marketable inventory within twelve (12) months
from the Brand Partner’s date of purchase at not less than 90% of the Brand Partner’s original net cost less appropriate set-offs
and legal claims, if any. In addition, for purposes of this section, products shall not be considered “currently marketable” if returned
for repurchase after the products commercially reasonable usable or shelf life period has passed (shelf life will be deemed to have
passed if the product package has been opened); nor shall products be considered “currently marketable” if the Company clearly
discloses to the Brand Partner prior to purchase that the products are seasonal, discontinued or special promotional products and
are not subject to the repurchase obligation. The Company will not issue a refund nor replace any product previously certified as
having been sold under the 70% Rule. No refunds will be issued unless a Brand Partner is in strict compliance with the procedures
contained herein:
b) A written return request shall be submitted, stating the reason for the termination, the reason for the return of product and/or sales
materials, and accompanied by original proof of payment and a copy of the Purchase Order Form or Packing Slip. Product returned
without prior authorization will be returned to Brand Partner;
c) The Company will provide Brand Partner with a return authorization number, and will instruct Brand Partner where to ship
the product for inventory verification. Upon receipt and inspection of the return, Company will process the appropriate
refund for payment; and
d) Brand Partner shall pay the cost of return freight.
e) All commissions, overrides and bonuses paid to a terminated Brand Partner as a result of any product returned upon termination
shall be repaid to the Company. The Company may deduct such amounts from any commissions or other amounts owed to such
Brand Partner. All commissions, overrides and/or bonuses paid to a Brand Partner’s upline on a returned product shall be repaid
to the Company by the upline Brand Partner.
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SECTION ELEVEN: GENERAL PROVISIONS
11.01 Indemnity Agreement. Brand Partner agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its shareholders, officers, directors, employees,
agents and successors in interest from and against any claim, demand, liability, loss, cost or expense including, but not limited to, court
costs and attorneys’ fees, asserted against or suffered or incurred by any of them, directly or indirectly, arising out of or in any way related
to or connected with allegedly or otherwise, that Brand Partner’s (a) activities as Brand Partner; (b) breach of the terms of the Agreement;
and/or (c) violation of or failure to comply with any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation.
11.02 Other Services and Products. No products or services, except for the Company’s products or services, shall be sold or shown at any
event where the Company’s product or services are sold or shown. Except as provided above, a Brand Partner is not restricted from
selling other companies’ services and products that are not similar to or competitive with the products and services of the Company.
However, promotion of direct sales and/or network marketing programs and/or competitive services or products with anyone are strictly
prohibited.
11.03 Limit on Liability. To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall not be liable for and Brand Partner releases the Company from
and waives all claims for any loss of profits, indirect, direct, special or consequential damages or any other loss incurred or suffered by Brand
Partner as a result of (a) the breach by Brand Partner of the Agreement and/or the terms and conditions of the Policy Manual; (b) the
operation of Brand Partner’s business; (c) any incorrect or wrong data or information provided by Brand Partner; (d) any copyright violation
in connection with materials provided by Brand Partner; or (e) the failure to provide any information or data necessary for the Company to
operate its business, including, without limitation, the enrollment and acceptance of Brand Partner into the Compensation Plan or the
payment of commissions and bonuses.
11.04 Limitation of Damages. To the extent permitted by law, the company and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees and other representatives
shall not be liable for and Brand Partner hereby releases the foregoing from and waive any claim for loss of profit, incidental, special,
consequential or exemplary damages which may arise out of any claim whatsoever relating to the company’s performance, non performance,
act or omission with respect to the business relationship or other matters between any brand partner and the company, whether sounding
in contract, tort or strict liability. Furthermore, it is agreed that any damages to Brand Partner shall not exceed and is hereby expressly
limited to, the amount of unsold Company programs, services and/or products of the Company owned by Brand Partner and any commissions
owed to Brand Partner.
11.05 Record Keeping. The Company encourages Brand Partner to keep complete and accurate records of all Brand Partner’s business
dealings.
11.06 Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition. Brand Partner acknowledges and agrees that the only way to protect the goodwill, confidential,
proprietary and trade secret information of Company and the integrity and stability of the sales force created by other Brand Partners is
to prohibit all Brand Partners from recruiting and soliciting of other Brand Partners to other companies during the term of this agreement
and for a reasonable time thereafter. Consequently, in consideration for all of the rights granted by this Agreement, including the protection
this non-solicitation provision affords to Brand Partner, for the term of this Agreement and for two (2) years after termination hereof, for
any reason, Brand Partner agrees not to, directly or indirectly, recruit or solicit any of Company’s other Brand Partners to join other direct
sales, multi-level or network marketing companies.
For the term of this Agreement and for two (2) years after termination hereof, for any reason, Brand Partner agrees not to sell any product
that is the same or similar to or competes with the products of Company within the United States of America or any other country where
Company sells its products.
Brand Partner agrees not to solicit, directly or indirectly, Company’s Brand Partners to purchase services or products, except those of
Company, throughout the term of this Agreement.
11.07 Amendments. The Company reserves the right to amend the Agreement, Policy Manual, its retail prices, product availability and the
Compensation Plan at any time without prior notice as it deems appropriate. Amendments will be communicated to Brand Partner through
official Nerium publications, by posting on the Nerium website or voice and/or e-mail. Amendments are effective and binding on Brand
Partner and Nerium thirty (30) days after notice. All amendments are prospective and do not apply to incidents, occurrences or proceedings
occurring before the effective date of the amendment. In the event any conflict between the original documents or policies and any such
amendment, the amendment will control.
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11.08 Non-Waiver Provision. No failure of the Company to exercise any power under the Policy Manual or to insist upon strict compliance
by Brand Partner with any obligation or provision herein, and no custom or practice of the parties at variance with this Policy Manual, shall
constitute a waiver of the Company’s right to demand exact compliance with this Policy Manual. The Company’s waiver of any particular
default by Brand Partner shall not affect or impair the Company’s rights with respect to any subsequent default, nor shall it affectany way
in the rights or obligations of any other Brand Partner. Nor shall any delay or omissions by the Company to exercise any right arising from
a default affect or impair the Company’s rights as to that or any subsequent default. Waiver by the Company can be affected only in writing
by an authorized officer of the Company.
11.09 Arbitration.
a) Except as expressly set forth herein, all disputes, claims or causes of action relating to or arising from any Independent Brand
Partner Application, Nerium International Terms of Agreement, Company’s Policies and Procedures, and any other Company
policies, products and services, the rights and obligations of Company and Brand Partner or any other disputes, claims or
causes of action between Brand Partner and any of its officers, directors, employees or affiliates and Company or any of its officers,
directors, employees or affiliates whether in tort or contract, shall be settled totally and finally by arbitration in Dallas, Texas, in
accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, including the optional rules for
emergency measures of protection which Company may use, in addition to or instead of the procedures set forth in section
(c) below. The arbitration shall be conducted before a single arbitrator and shall not be conducted on a class-wide, class action
or multiple complaining-party basis.
b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the arbitrator shall have no jurisdiction over disputes relating to the ownership, validity or registration
of any mark or other intellectual property or proprietary or confidential information of the Company without the Company’s prior
written consent. The Company may seek any applicable remedy in any applicable forum with respect to these disputes and with
respect to money owing to the Company. In addition to monetary damages, the Company may obtain injunctive relief against
Brand Partner for any violation of the Agreement or misuse of the Company’s trademark, copyright or confidential
information policies.
c) Nothing in this rule shall prevent the Company from applying to and obtaining from any court having jurisdiction a writ of
attachment, a temporary injunction, preliminary injunction and/or other injunctive or emergency relief available
to safeguard and protect the Company’s interests prior to the filing of or during or following any arbitration or other proceeding
or pending the handing down of a decision or award in connection with any arbitration or other proceeding. Brand Partner
hereby agrees that violation of the prohibition on use or disclosure of trade secrets, proprietary or confidential information
or the prohibition of the non-solicitation and non-disparagement provisions herein stated will cause Company irreparable
injury for which there is no adequate remedy at law and hereby agrees to the entry of an exparte temporary restraining
order, preliminary and permanent injunction or any other emergency remedy necessary to prevent said violation.
d) Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to give the arbitrator any authority, power or right to alter, change, amend, modify,
add to or to subtract from any of the provisions of this Agreement.
11.10 Entire Agreement. This Policy Manual is incorporated into the Agreement, along with the Compensation Plan, and constitutes the
entire agreement of the parties regarding their business relationship.
11.11 Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Venue. The Agreement, including this Policy Manual, shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Texas, except that any conflict-of-law rule that may require reference to the laws of some other jurisdiction shall be disregarded.
The parties further agree that, subject to and without waiver of the requirements of the agreement to arbitrate contained in paragraph
11.09 above, the state and federal courts located in Dallas County, Texas shall be the exclusive forum for litigation of any dispute between
or among Brand Partner and any of its officers, directors, employees or affiliates and Company or any of its officers, directors, employees
or affiliates, that is permitted to be litigated in court under paragraph 11.09. The parties irrevocably waive any right any of them may have
to assert that venue or jurisdiction for any such litigation should lie elsewhere, including, but not limited to, any objection based on forum
non conveniens or personal jurisdiction. The parties intend this provision to be a binding, mandatory and exclusive forum-selection clause,
subject to and without waiver of the agreement to arbitrate.
11.12 Force Majeure. The Company shall not be responsible for delays or failure in performance caused by circumstances beyond a party’s
control, such as strikes, labor difficulties, fire, war, government decrees or orders or curtailment of a party’s usual source of supply.
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11.13 Notice. Any communication, notice or demand of any kind whatsoever, which either Brand Partner or the Company may be required or
may desire to give or to serve upon the other shall be in writing and delivered by electronic communication whether by telex, telegram,
e-mail or fax (if confirmed in writing sent by registered or certified mail, postage pre-paid, return receipt requested or by personal service).
Any party may change its address for notice by giving written notice to the other in the manner provided in this Section. Any such
communication, notice or demand shall be deemed to have been given or served on the date personally served by personal service, on
the date of confirmed dispatch if by electronic communication, or on the date shown on the return receipt or other evidence if delivery is
by mail.
11.14 Severability. If under any applicable and binding law or rule of any applicable jurisdiction, any provision of the Agreement, including
this Policy Manual, or any specification, standard or operating procedure which the Company has prescribed, is held to be invalid or
unenforceable, the Company shall have the right to modify the invalid or unenforceable provision, specification, standard or operating
procedure or any portion thereof, to the extent required to be valid and enforceable, and Brand Partner shall be bound by any such
modification. The modification will be effective only in the jurisdiction in which it is required.
11.15 Violations. It is the obligation of every Brand Partner to abide by and maintain the integrity of this Policy Manual. If Brand Partner
observes another Brand Partner committing a violation, such Brand Partner should discuss the violation directly with the violating Brand
Partner. Any violations reported to the Company shall follow the Company’s reporting procedures and may be reported by phone to
Nerium International Support Department at 855-4-NERIUM (855-463-7486).
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SECTION TWELVE: CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Nerium international, LLC., believes that its Brand Partners should subscribe to the principles of fairness, honesty, integrity and service. The
relationship of the company to Brand Partner, Brand Partner to customer and Brand Partner to others should be preserved, protected and promoted
in accordance with the highest standards of conduct. Therefore, Brand Partner agrees to abide by and subscribe to the code of professional
ethics (the “code of ethics”) contained in this section twelve.
AS A BRAND PARTNER, I AGREE THAT:
12.01 I will be honest and fair in all my dealings while acting as a Brand Partner of the Company.
12.02 I will respect the time and privacy of the people I contact to become retail customers or Brand Partners of the Company. I will be courteous
and respectful to every person contacted in the course of my Company business.
12.03 I will perform all my professional activities in a manner that will enhance my reputation and the reputation of the Company.
12.04 I will fulfill my leadership responsibilities as a Sponsor, including training and otherwise supporting Brand Partners in my sales organization.
12.05 I will not engage in any deceptive or illegal practice, or any practice prohibited by the Agreement or the Policy Manual.
12.06 I will not make diagnostic, therapeutic or curative claims for the Company’s products. I will not make any claims not contained in official
Company literature. I will represent only that “each body is unique and responds uniquely to different products,” remembering that even
my personal experience with the product may be interpreted as an “extension of labeling claims” if I use those experiences as a sales
device.
12.07 I will make no income claims or representations regarding the Company Compensation Plan, remembering that ideal projections of the
Company Compensation Plan are unrealistic. No network is grown in a perfect geometric progression and therefore it is impossible to
predict incomes. Further, a Brand Partner’s success depends on many variables, such as the amount of time committed to his/her
business and the degree of organizational ability.
12.08 I understand and agree that I am solely responsible for all financial and/or legal obligations incurred by me in the course of my business
as a Brand Partner of Nerium International, including self-employment taxes, income taxes, sales taxes, license fees and related personal
fees.
12.09 I will always honor the Company’s 100% satisfaction, thirty (30) day money back guarantee when dealing with my retail customers.
12.10 I understand and agree that capitalism is one of the most competitive economic systems in the world; I will compete aggressively but
fairly, and I will respect the professionals of other network marketing companies. I will not solicit from the proprietary rolls or “genealogical”
printouts of other network marketing companies. I will not use sales materials or professional associations that may be regarded as
proprietary by other companies. The Company seeks to promote the reputation of all reputable network marketing companies that are
furthering the cause of personal independence for their Brand Partners.
12.11 A Brand Partner shall engage in no conduct which negatively impacts, disrupts or impairs the reputation or business of the Company or
other Brand Partners, including, but not limited to: disparagement of the Company, its Officers or Employees or other Brand Partners;
manipulation of the Compensation Plan; undermines or is at odds with the training systems utilized by and authorized by the Company;
conduct which is abusive, disrespectful or intimidating of other Brand Partners, Customers, Employees or Affiliates of the company;
conduct that undermines the relationship between the Company and Brand Partners or relationships between Brand Partners; conduct
which is false, fraudulent, dishonest or deceptive in any way; or any other conduct which the Company deems disreputable or, in anyway,
negatively impacts the Company or other Brand Partners.
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SECTION THIRTEEN: ADDENDA FOR SPECIFIC STATES
13.01 Distributor Agreement for Georgia. This addendum is applicable to Georgia participants only.
a) This addendum shall supersede and override any provisions in the independent distributor agreement which shall be in conflict
with this addendum, except that any cancellation or buy-back provision in the distributor agreement, which is more favorable in
terms to the distributor than this addendum, shall remain in full force and effect. The further purpose of this addendum is to set
forth the rights of the independent distributor.
b) Description of Products or Services: The company markets skincare and health-oriented products and services to the consumer
through independent distributors by way of network marketing. The company’s product line is indicated on the enclosed brochures.
The company’s primary service to distributors who are independent contractor marketers is to make available quality products for
distributors to sell. In addition, the company makes available sales and marketing literature, ordering and other forms, supportive
materials to promote the business and policies and procedures to provide guidance in conduct of the business. The company
maintains a distributor relations department to answer questions of distributors. The company makes available to distributors
downline sales organization data processing reports to inform distributors of sales production activity of their sales organization.
Information regarding shipping and training are provided in other paragraphs. The company’s sales and marketing materials
provide more detailed information. The company supplies marketing materials and fulfills orders of its distributors.
c) Delivery Date of Products: After receipt of orders and payment in full, the company ships orders for its products received before
12:00 p.m. CST the same day, and orders received after 12:00 p.m. CST are shipped the next business day. Product orders are
sent via Federal Express. Methods of payment include check or credit cards.
d) Training: The Company offers a complete library of print and video materials to all independent distributors at no charge. The
materials are readily available over the internet in the distributor’s personal virtual office. The training materials cover the science
behind the product, how to conduct a personal sales party in the home, an understanding of the Compensation Plan and a complete
library of personal development tools.
e) A participant in this multilevel marketing plan has a right to cancel at any time, regardless of reason. Cancellation
must be submitted in writing to the company at its principal business address.
f) Cancellation and Buy-Back Policy: The company will honor minimum cancellation rights to the participant in accordance
with OCGA § 10-1-415(d)(1), (2) and (3), which code sections provide as follows and are set forth verbatim:
1.) “If the participant has purchased products or paid for administrative services while the contract of participation was in
effect, the seller shall repurchase all unencumbered products, sales aids, literature, and promotional items which are in
a reasonably resalable or reusable condition and which were acquired by the participant from the seller; such repurchase
shall be at a price not less than 90 percent of the original net cost to the participant of the goods being returned.
For purposes of this paragraph, ‘original net cost’ means the amount actually paid by the participant for the goods,
less any consideration received by the participant for purchase of the goods which is attributable to the specific goods
now being returned. Goods shall be deemed ‘resalable or reusable’ if the goods are in an unused,
commercially resalable condition at the time the goods are returned to the seller. Goods which are no
longer marketed by the company shall be deemed ‘resalable or reusable’ if the goods are in an unused,
commercially resalable condition and are returned to the seller within one year from the date the company
discontinued marketing the goods; provided, however, that goods which are no longer marketed by a
multilevel distribution company shall not be deemed ‘resalable or reusable’ if the goods are sold to participants
as nonreturnable, discontinued, or seasonal items and the nonreturnable, discontinued, or seasonal nature of the
goods was clearly disclosed to the participant seeking to return the goods prior to the purchase of the goods by the participant.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this paragraph, a multilevel distribution company may not assert that
any more than 15 percent of its total yearly sales per calendar year to participants in dollars are from nonreturnable,
discontinued, or seasonal items;
2.) The repayment of all administrative fees or consideration paid for other services shall be at not less than 90
percent of the costs to the participant of such fees or services and shall reflect all other administrative services that have
not, at the time of termination, been provided to the participant; and
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3.) The participant may be held responsible for all shipping expenses incurred in returning sales aids or products to the company
but only if such responsibility of a canceling participant is disclosed in the written description of the cancellation rights.” The
cancellation and buy-back policy above is controlling and overrides any contrary language in any other company materials.
g) Pursuant to OCGA § 10-1-415(d)(3), notice is given that the participant shall be responsible for all shipping expenses incurred
in returning sales aids or products to the company.
13.02 Distrubutor Agreement for Louisiana. This addendum is applicable to Louisiana participants only.
a) This addendum shall supersede and override any provisions in the independent distributor agreement which shall be in conflict
with this addendum, except that any cancellation or buy-back provision in the distributor agreement, which is more favorable in
terms to the distributor than this addendum, shall remain in full force and effect. The further purpose of this addendum is to set
forth the rights of the independent distributor.
b) A participant in this multilevel marketing plan has a right to cancel at any time, regardless of reason. Cancellation must be submitted
in writing to the Company at its principal business address.
c) No purchase or investment is necessary to become a Company distributor other than the purchase of a distributor sales kit which
is sold “at Company cost.”
d) Waiver of Personal Activity Requirement During First Sixth Months. During the first six (6) months after commencement of the
distributor agreement, every Louisiana distributor is excused from personal product purchase activity requirements to the extent
that payment for product purchased when combined with any other consideration (e.g. sales kit) exceeds $300. During this
period, no total payment in excess of $300, either by express condition or practical necessity may be required to qualify as an
active distributor or to qualify for bonuses. The waiver of qualifying purchase requirements is controlling and overrides anything
to the contrary in other Company materials. Other than purchase of sales kit, all purchases by a distributor are voluntary and
are neither required by actual or practical necessity to participate fully in the marketing program.
e) Prohibition: Any payment by a distributor during his or her first 180 days in excess of $300 which may be considered under La.
R.S. 51:1821(2) as initial consideration required by express condition or practical necessity is strictly prohibited.
1.) The above prohibition shall not in any way restrict the amount of retail sales.
2.) Upon termination, if the independent distributor has purchased products for inventory purposes or mandatory sales
tools while the distributor agreement was in effect, all unencumbered products purchased within the previous
twelve (12) months which are in an unused and commercially resalable condition then in possession of the independent
distributor shall be repurchased. The repurchase shall be at price of not less than ninety (90%) percent of the original
net cost to the participant returning such goods, taking into account any sales made by or through such participant
prior to notification to the Company of the election to cancel. You may not re-join the Company for a period
of six (6) months after a resignation.
3.) Louisiana Law Applicable. In the event of a dispute for jurisdictional purposes, a distributor shall be entitled to file an
adjudicatory claim or lawsuit in the jurisdiction of Louisiana and the governing law shall be Louisiana law.
13.03 Montana Addendum to Agreement.
a) Refund Policy for Montana Representatives. The following refund policies shall be applicable to Montana representatives and
shall supercede any policies that are less protective to Montana representatives.
1.) A representative may cancel participation in the representative contract for any reason at any time upon notification in
writing to the company of the election to cancel.
2.) If the representative cancels participation and returns any required items, the person is entitled to a refund of any
consideration given to participate in the sales plan or operation.
3.) Upon the request of a representative deciding to terminate participation in the sales plan or operation, there shall be
the purchase, at not less than ninety percent (90%) of the amount paid by the representative, of any currently marketable
goods or services sold to the representative within twelve (12) months of the request that have not been resold or consumed
by the representative. APPENDIX B
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4.) Within fifteen (15) days from the date of enrollment, a Montana resident may cancel his or her Agreement and may return
his or her starter kit for a full refund within such time period.
13.04 Distributor Agreement for Oklahoma. This addendum is applicable to Oklahoma only.
a) The independent distributor agreement may be canceled at any time and for any reason by a distributor notifying the company
and the sponsoring distributor in writing of the election to cancel.
b) If a distributor elects not to renew his or her distributor agreement, all rights to bonuses, marketing position and wholesale
purchases cease. The terminated distributor’s sales organization shall be transferred to his or her sponsor.
c) If the independent distributor has purchased products for inventory purposes or mandatory sales tools while the distributor
agreement was in effect, all unencumbered products in a resalable condition then in possession of the independent distributor,
which have been purchased within twelve (12) months of cancellation, shall be repurchased. The repurchase shall be at a price
of not less ninety percent than ninety (90%) of the original net cost to the participant returning such goods, taking into account
any sales made by or through such participant prior to notification to the Company of the election to cancel.
d) Any product purchases which have been previously represented by the terminating distributor as having been either resold or
utilized for personal or family use under the company’s 70% Rule or otherwise, are not subject to repurchase.
13.05 Distributor Agreement for Texas. This addendum is applicable to Texas distributors only.
a) The independent distributor agreement may be canceled at any time and for any reason by a distributor notifying the company
and the sponsoring distributor in writing of the election to cancel.
b) If a distributor elects not to renew his or her distributor agreement, all rights to bonuses, marketing position and wholesale
purchases cease. The terminated distributor’s sales organization shall be transferred to his or her sponsor.
c) If the independent distributor has purchased products for inventory purposes or mandatory sales tools while the distributor
agreement was in effect, all unencumbered products in a resalable condition then in possession of the independent
distributor, which have been purchased within twelve months of cancellation, shall be repurchased. The repurchase shall be at
a price of not less than ninety percent (90%) of the original net cost to the participant returning such goods, taking into account
any sales made by or such participant through prior to notification to the Company of the election to cancel.
d) Any product purchases which have been previously represented by the terminating distributor as having been either resold or
utilized for personal or family use under the company’s 70% Rule or otherwise, are not subject to repurchase.
13.06 Wyoming Addendum to Agreement.
a) Refund Policy for Wyoming Distributors. The following refund policies shall be applicable to Wyoming distributors and shall
control over any policies that are less protective to Wyoming distributors.
1.) A distributor may cancel participation in the distributor contract for any reason at any time upon notification in writing to
the company of the election to cancel.
2.) If the participant has purchased products while the contract of participation was in effect, all unencumbered products in
a resalable condition then in the possession of the participant shall be repurchased by the company. The repurchase shall
not be at a price of not less than ninety percent (90%) of the original net cost to the participant returning such goods,
taking into account any sales made by or through such participant prior to notification to the company of the
election to cancel.
3.) Although the company does not have a purchase requirement, in the event such a requirement is made of participants in
its marketing program to purchase products or services or pay any other consideration in order to participate
in the marketing program, the following refund policy shall be applicable and the company agrees:
a.) To repurchase all or part of any products which are unencumbered and in a resalable condition at a price
of not less ninety percent (90%) of the original net cost to the participant, taking into account any sales made
by or through such participant prior to notification to the company of election to cancel;
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b.) To repay not less than ninety percent (90%) of the original net cost of any services purchased by the
participants; or
c.) To refund not less than ninety percent (90%) of any other consideration paid by the participant in order to
participate in the marketing program.
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