Tabberone's Hall of Shame

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Juice Plus
Hall Of Shame Member
Added December 18, 2006

Updated April 3, 2007

What can we say about Juice Plus that hasn't already been said? Nothing? You wanna bet?
Someone named Dennis Dodd is the Administrative Contact and Technical Contact for their s-l-o-w l-o-a-d-i-n-g web site at www.JuicePlus.com. He's either in Collierville, TN or Memphis, TN. or prehaps in between, or maybe he just isn't sure. Somewhat like the folks at Juice Plus.
Juice Plus appears to be cashing in on the health food fad by selling overpriced, you guessed it, JUICE!. Their s-l-o-w l-o-a-d-i-n-g web site touts the many studies, and "professional opinions", that support the "virtues" of their product while allowing them to jack the price up to space station altitudes.
So what was the heinous crime that got them membership on these hallowed pages? STUPIDITY.

They don't want their product sold by anyone other than "authorized" dealers. On November 30, 2006, using the eBay contact the buyer option, Juice Plus, also known as NSA, LLC, contacted Lisa who was selling their "juice" on eBay. Their email was low-level threatening but the tone was there. The demand was to "remove your auction" and then to call someone with an order number in hand for a refund. What if you don't have your original order form? Out of luck?

The next day, Jennifer Harris of Internal Affairs at NSA contacted Lisa more directly. The Second Email again quoted that "unauthorized" persons are not allowed to sell Juice Plus products. Then cam the infamous unauthorized use of trademark threat:
Any use of company trade names or trademarks without permission from NSA is strictly prohibited.
Guess what, Jennifer, you Dodo, Lisa already has permission to use the trade name, trademarks, and pictures. It's called the Lanham Act and the provision within the Lanham Act is called The Fair Use Doctrine. For your edification Jennifer, it basically says someone has the right to use a trademark, trademark name, and pictures of ther product, to accurately describe the product they are offering, if the product was manufactured by the trademark owner. DUH! So, Jennifer, what is your legal background to be mis-informing people of their non-rights? Shyster Intimidation 101?
Not to be intimidated, Lisa shot back an emil asking Juice Plus what part of the First Sale Doctrine (copyright law) and what part of the Fair Use Doctrine (trademark law) did not apply to her offering and why.
After a few days, Jennifer Harris of Internal Affairs at NSA turned the issue over to Todd White, the Assistant Director of Internal Affairs. perhaps it was a little too much for her tiny brain. In any event, Todd White, the Assistant Director of Internal Affairs at NSA, promptly echoed the company line about Lisa not being "protected" from liability, twice in one email. What a guy.
But, Todd, baby, we have a problem here. Lisa described these offerings as "freeze dried fruits and vegetables in a capsule". Expiration dates are advisory, not mandatory. We have never seen a label that said, "If you eat this after this date you will die!" It always says something like, "Best before this date". Todd? Are you saying your product becomes toxic after the expiration date? Have you warned your consumers? Maybe your product should include the warning: If you consume this after the expiration date, run, do not walk, to the nearest hospital.

And Todd, and you Jennifer, who is maryannsican? On December 6, 2006, she sent an email to Lisa that was s-o-o-o childish and immature it boosted your company to the head of the list for induction to this web site. She is so obviously one of yours it's pathetic. Just signed up and NO feedback? What? You didn't get your way so you decided to have a temper tantrum? Grow up, dude.

So, since nothing way going their way, Jennifer Harris of Internal Affairs at NSA, decided to take over this issue, again, after another NINE DAYS. Seems that Todd White, the Assistant Director of Internal Affairs, wasn't man enough for the job. So, on December 15, 2006, Jennifer Harris of Internal Affairs at NSA, again emailed Lisa with another "yawner". Oops, we meant "threatening email". Jennifer, go park your broom amd bone up on trademark law. Your threats are without merit. Your company is just another company in a long line of companies attempting to control the secondary market through lies and intimidation. Again, pathetic.
Also, inquiring minds want to know. Who is the "JK" you carbon at the end of the email? Your lawyer? Or just some attempt to look important?

Seems the are others who are critical of Juice Plus. Stephen Barrett, M.D. wrote an article for MLMWatch caleed Juice Plus: A Critical Look which is really documented and tears into Juice Plus.
T. Rex's Guide to Life also cites a study that questions a children's study touted by Juice Plus.
Cry away, Juice Plus. Your business ethics seem to be rotten. Let's hope your juice isn't.

Update April 3, 2007 From Lisa: "I did as she (Jennifer Harris) suggested and returned the Juice Plus, but didn't have a sales order number. Guess what?! I did not get a reply or a refund, they kept my product."
So, boys and girls, what can we deduce from this? In our opinion, not only are the IP people at Juice Plus stupid in their attitude, approach, and knowledge of trademark law, but they are also cheats and not to be trusted.

Rebuttals
In an effort to provide a balanced view, we make the following offer to anyone who feels they have been wrongly accused on this web site.
If you, or your company, have been referenced on these pages, and you would like the chance to post a rebuttal, we will post your rebuttal (provided it is in good taste) so others can read it. The rebuttal must be submitted in a format that can easily be converted into HTML. We reserve the right to alter the rebuttal to make it more readable. However, we will not alter the content (unless there is offensive material to be removed). We also reserve the right to comment on any rebuttal received. Emails protesting the content of this web site may be treated as rebuttals by us at our discretion.
We made this offer a very long time ago and as of September 2008, only AnimieHot.com, in our Hall Of Shame, and Charlotte Perman (Sevenarts in our Hall Of Shame) have chosen to submit a formal rebuttal.