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Status of Commercial/Business Sites in Multiply (updated) Print E-mail
One important aspect of business is being seen by the clients, customers, consumers or whatever you may want to call the end-users. Maybe you've heard about the three cardinal rules: (1) location; (2) location; and (3) location. These rules are premised on the fact that a good business is, in general, easily seen or accessible to end-users. 
 
The exponential growth of technology, particularly the internet, has resulted in an interesting twist to the above-described business fact. Many businesses, even those that are peddling scams, are using the internet and maintain their own websites. We will discuss later the pros and cons of having a business website. Let's first discuss public websites that are being used by many entrepreneurs to promote their products or services. Let's start with Multiply.
 
Multiply
Multiply, Inc. is based in Boca Raton, Florida, and was founded in December 2003. According to the site: "The company launched its flagship web site, Multiply (http://multiply.com), in March 2004, effectively defining the new field of social communications." (logo courtesy of Multply) I became a member of Multiply immediately after it was launched, and I must say that the functionalities of Multiply are way much better and more user-friendly than other social networking sites. It was also during th same period that the Pinoy Entrepreneurs was created in Multiply, with no clear purpose, just like this site, except perhaps putting forward its motto. 
 
I thought there would be a prohibition, as in other sites, against using Multiply for commercial purposes. Considering that the group name "Pinoy Entrepreneurs" definitely sounds like its purpose is commercial, I checked the Terms and found this provision (I'm not sure if this is the exact language previously used): 
Non Commercial Use by Members

The Multiply Web site is for the personal use of individual Members only and may not be used in connection with any commercial endeavors. Organizations, companies, and/or businesses may not become Members and should not use the Service or the Web site for any purpose. Illegal and/or unauthorized uses of the Web site, including collecting usernames and/or e-mail addresses of members by electronic or other means for the purpose of sending unsolicited e-mail and unauthorized framing of or linking to the Web site will be investigated, and appropriate legal action will be taken, including, without limitation, civil, criminal, and injunctive redress and the Member's account will be terminated.
This provision clearly says that "commercial endeavors" are not allowed, although what's considered as a "commercial endeavor" is not clear. Then the "rumor" started - Multiply is allegedly removing accounts that are engaged in e-commerce. One brave Filipino soul (mybeezwax) wrote Multiply and got a reply. Here's the reply:

Reply of Multiply
For those who can't read the reply, it says: "Hi. Not sure where you are hearing this rumor. It is true that our Terms of Service prohibit the use of Multiply for commercial purposes - that is to protect our users from spam and/or scams. But no one would be deleted without a warning first."
 
So, where do things stand? The reply simply reiterates what's stated above - Multiply is not to be used for commercial purposes. It also says that the rumor is not true and users violating the policy will definitely be notified before their respective accounts will be deleted. It doesn't say, however, whether or not the account of the sender is classified under "commercial purposes". Still, it's good that Multiply will let you know before your account is removed. Maybe Multiply won't remove those accounts as long as the system is not abused. I hope so.Wink
 
Update: I met a friend the other day and she told me that her multiply site was shut down, apparently for being a commercial site. I new search led me to this statement by Multiply:
6. Commercial Use - Multiply is a free service for the personal use of individual members only and not to be used for any commercial reason. Put simply, don't open a store on Multiply OR open a Multiply account for the purpose of linking to a commercial site!  
This may not exactly be good news to many, considering that there's a proliferation of multiply sites used for commercial purposes. (Note: Please don't consider this as a legal opinion, as this is not.) 
Published in : Topics, Internet and Tech

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