Male Corps

[dzinerbear]

MaleCorps

Aren't these the guys who a couple of years back decided to dump all their webmasters?

I just got this from them this morning:

"Dear Recruiters: This quick note is to let you know we have made exciting changes to the U.S. Male Corps Recruiter Program. We have increased our commission from 30% to 60%, for life! Commissions are now applicable on ALL new transactions WORLDWIDE, INITIAL AND RECURRING, including Credit Card, Telephone and even Direct Pay, FOR LIFE! We have added a 5% Commission for webmaster referrals. We have also added higher commission thresholds, meaning you can make up to 80% commission! We also have more banners than ever before! Now that we have the best affiliate program for any uniform site around, we hope that you will continue to market U.S. Male Corps, thereby greatly increasing your revenues! Bruce Wilkinson Recruiter U.S. Male Corps"

Michael

[gaydemon]

Thats exactly what I thought when I saw that email.

I remember it clearly, they sent out a fairly arrogant email about how they did not want any affiliates anymore.. I guess that didnt work out very well! lol

[dzinerbear]

Yes, it almost had a we don't need you / we can do better without you feel to it.

Michael

[abostonboy]

Aren't these the guys who a couple of years back decided to dump all their webmasters?



Not only did they dump them, but got real nasty. This was one of the first programs that I marketed and did really well. A year or so after they changed their affiliate program to "invite only" (I believe) I got an email saying I was getting sued if I didn't removed their content. Guess I had left some promotional content up with their banners still. Even after explaining that it had their banners and I wasn't getting paid, they didn't seem to care all that much.

Live and learn.

[Fister]

Yup, I agree it's the same sponsor.

Too bad, too. I think it was the first paysite I ever joined, and a very good one at that!

[gaydemon]

Yeah, i remember it being pretty good and it sold very well. Its the only real military niche site atleast any that focuses on uniforms etc.

But I would really hesitate to sell them again, because of how they treated their affiliates last time around.


Yup, I agree it's the same sponsor.

Too bad, too. I think it was the first paysite I ever joined, and a very good one at that!

[abostonboy]

Yup, I agree it's the same sponsor.

Too bad, too. I think it was the first paysite I ever joined, and a very good one at that!

Yeah. It's the SAME sponsor. However, they don't sue! Wish I had saved the email I sent them. :)

Plus they had Canadian checks if I remember at first. Some didn't "clear".

[xstr8guy]

I was a victim too. It was also one of my very first sponsors and sold like gangbusters. They came back about a 6-12 months ago with a 30% revshare program. My partner signed up to their affiliate program against my advice.

[xstr8guy]

Oh dear! Check out the tour and see if you can figure out how to navigate it. C'mon, I dare you! http://www.malecorps.com/index.html

[abostonboy]

Oh dear! Check out the tour and see if you can figure out how to navigate it. C'mon, I dare you!

lol. I just noticed that!

[Gaystoryman]

Oh dear! Check out the tour and see if you can figure out how to navigate it. C'mon, I dare you!


Well, I didn't have a problem navigating it, I just hit that little X on the top of my browser. Got me right where I needed to be... :D

[archer]

i remember the kerfuffle over these guys when they did what they did.

i took a look at the site.

as a surfer i would think that if you are going to offer a category ie. handymen in this case, you should have some pictures to offer.

not in this case apparently
malecorps.com/intro/workers/handymen.html

that's the case in a lot of the 'categories' ... no men.
NOT a selling point in my opinion

[U.S. MALE CORPS]

Dear forum members:

A few clarifications with respect to U.S. Male Corps web site. Some affiliates were terminated in the past, in two instances:

1. Canadian webmasters were terminated at the request of the Canada Revenue Agency, over GST considerations. The matter went to several court levels, and after close to 7 years, and just before the case was to be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada, the Agency backed down, changed the law, and overturned their decision in the matter. The new law received Royal Ascent from Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada last Summer.

2. Other webmasters were terminated over copyright violations. It has never been acceptable for any webmaster to download Male Corps content and set up their own web site with that content without prior approval. This constituted a copyright violation, a crime in the United States and the European Community. It was also a violation of the Terms and Conditions of the Affiliate program. I am sorry that those webmasters who broke our rules and the law felt they were treated unfairly. They should however be grateful, that they were the few that were lucky enough not to be sued.

Webmasters, more than anybody else, should understand the consequences of copyright violations. Contrary to popular belief, photos do not occur naturally or by an Act of God. They require a lot of work and resources to be completed. Let’s take the Dracula series… besides the complications inherent to shooting in Romania, can people imagine what was involved in getting official permission to shoot in the actual Dracula’s castle? For the guiding series, could people imagine the logistics involved in filming and shooting in the high arctic? Or the days it took climbing a mountain to shoot on one of its summits? Can people imagine the risk and skills involved in skydiving or rappelling shoots? Do people know the cost of a Hummer vehicle or a military zodiac boat? What about shooting in the fist class cabin of an actual 747? What about what happened behind the scene? The bear attacks, the shark encounters etc…

Photos take a lot of resources, efforts and money, and our photographers have always had a problem with seeing the materials the work so hard on end up all over the place. So yeah, when it comes to copyright violations, we are nasty. We sue, we seize and we usually do whatever we can to ensure copyright violators never steal our photos again. So we may appear very nasty to go after the poor little webmaster who stole hundreds of photos of Male Corps and justified it by having one Male Corps banner while using the rest of the photos to generate revenue through third parties, taking him to court, seizing his assets etc… But that’s what we do. We simply do not tolerate copyright violations.

Webmasters who could not comply with our rules and who could not refrain from copyright violations were therefore, at best, terminated, at worst taken to court or even sent to jail.

Anyway, although I am sorry to hear this forum's people discontent for our web site and affiliate program, they constitute a small fraction of our affiliates, and I am happy to report that the vast majority of our webmasters, a substantial source of revenue for U.S. Male Corps, are overall happy and generating millions of dollars in revenue.

With respect to the "tour", as reported by "Abostonboy", there is simply no tour. I understand this may be puzzling for people used to the typical adult site, but removing the typical gay site format years ago has resulted in a substantial increase in sales, and certainly never appeared to be a problem for members.

After all, U.S. Male Corps has always been different from most gay site. It is not ran by a gay webmaster but actual ex-special forces guys. It is not owned by an adult conglomerate but a firm with interests as varied as security, travel and airline businesses. Photos were usually not taken in studios, but on locations, around the world, often with extremely difficult access (such as the arctic). Hence having as well, often (there are exceptions of course), untypical models who are actual athletes in their field or genuine military personnel. The main photographer is not a computer geek but a former U.S. Navy SEAL.

Last but not least, U.S. Male Corps has never meant to attract the type of gay surfer other gay sites are preying on, but more the normal type of outdoor dude, who has interests similar to any straight guy, but simply happens to like men. With this in mind, U.S. Male Corps will never be like other gay sites, will never have the typical tour format, and will never provide actual hardcore materials.

In closing, although we always welcome webmasters willing to play by the rules and the law, we will always abide by our own rules, concepts and procedures that are of value to us, and which have made U.S. Male Corps possibly the most successful uniform web site for the last 10 years.

Bruce Wilkinson
Recruiter
U.S. Male Corps

[tmt-Walter]

So you don't want webmasters using images to promote your site? Just words. (like obama would say)
Can we use the line about the sharks and the polar bears or is that copyrighted too?

[dzinerbear]

I requested a password from these guys and here's what I got back:

"As for providing you with free access, please forward a signed request on
letterhead, either via email, or to 1-866-690-5784. Please briefly explain
where you want to review the site etc... and make sure there is a valid
physical address and phone number on your request."

These guys are out of their minds. They just don't seem to have any grasp on how this business works.

Too bad really because it's a nice looking site and would probably sell well. But when the site owner is standing in the way, why bother?

Michael

[abostonboy]

Seriously. I will hold my breath a bit on this one. This was one of the VERY first sponsors that I marketed. I was doing like 1k-2k a month. Getting paid in Canadian checks.

With all due respect to MaleCorps, I know what a copyright violation is. I also know for a fact that they either offered a limited number of photos or I had gotten approval to use some. I will state with that I had NEVER been inside the members area. So the only way I could have gotten any images was either via approval or they had offered them.

The email did state that they had either closed their affiliate program or changed to invite only. Obviously I was not invited.

Not sure if it's the best PR policy to come on and lecture what a copyright violation is and basically accuse all of us who truly believe that you closed your program to affiliates only to say that the only reason affiliates got terminated was due to copyright violations. Look like there are a lot of thieves here then.

Btw, in your post you mentioned I said you had no tour. Could you point out where I said that?

[gaydemon]

Dear Male Corps,

As it happens I saved the email you sent out 2005 terminating ALL affiliates.

So its not quite true what you said, this is what actually happened:


-----Original Message-----
From: Command, U.S. Male Corps [mailto:NOREALIS@jangomail.com]
Sent: 05 February 2005 21:29
To: webmaster@gaydemon.com (webmaster@gaydemon.com)
Subject: TERMINATION OF AFFILIATE PROGRAM

***IMPORTANT NOTICE***

Since the launch of the U.S. Male Corps Recruiter program in 1998, we have been experiencing concerns with the way our trademark, logos and photos were being used by many webmasters. Despite clear Terms and Conditions, warnings and notices, webmasters sill continue to use our
logo, trademark and exclusive content in violation of trademark and copyright laws, as well as the Terms and Conditions of the program.

Additionally, it appears that our trademarks, logos and photos were sometimes associated with websites offering obscene or otherwise illegal materials, materials infriging in the rights of others, as well as various misleading advertising practices.

This has forced our company to launch various legal actions in several countries, wasting valuable resources, and above all, placing into question the long-term viability of affiliate programs.

As a result, the U.S Male Corps Recruiter Program will be phased out as per the following schedule:

05 February 2005
Applications to become a Recruiter will no longer be accepted.

10 February 2005
ALL U.S. Male Corps trademarks, logos, graphics and photos, with the exception of the banners provided by U.S. Male Corps via the "Banner Code Generator", MUST BE REMOVED AT ONCE from affiliates' sites. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of any commission payment.

10 August 2005
All remaining U.S. Male Corps banners, provided via the "Banner Code Generator" must be removed from Affiliates' sites. At this point, affiliates should no longer use any Male Corps logo, banner, trademark, graphic or photo whatsoever.

10 August 2005
Affiliates will no longer receive a commission for new sign ups.

10 August 2008
Affiliates will no longer receive a commission for recurring sign ups.

It is important to note that we greatly value the traffic sent to us by our affiliates. For this reason, we will continue to pay commissions due on all recurring memberships UNTIL 10 AUGUST 2008, on the basis
that the Terms and Conditions of the program, more specifically as they relate to the use of our name, logo, trademarks, graphics, banners and photos, are complied with.

Should you have any question, please e-mail me at
Recruiter@MaleCorps.com

Bruce Walker
Recruiter
U.S. Male Corps ®

[gaydemon]

To be quite honest. I think most of us would be happy to forgive and forget and maybe even try out your program again. But an apology might make things better rather than the somewhat arrogant post you did.

Words can go a long way!

[dzinerbear]

As it happens I saved the email you sent out 2005 terminating ALL affiliates.

Bjorn, you're a pack rat! But I'm glad someone kept it.

Michael

[basschick]

i keep everything like that, too. i have emails from programs that stopped paying in 1999 and from one program that closed their doors in 2000 *LOL*

Bjorn, you're a pack rat! But I'm glad someone kept it.

Michael

[gaydemon]

lol I save all emails.. from the day I started out online. Even backed up in like 3 different ways! You just never know when you need something.

I promise, im minimalistic in everything else. :D

Bjorn, you're a pack rat! But I'm glad someone kept it.

Michael

[abostonboy]

"
It is important to note that we greatly value the traffic sent to us by our affiliates. For this reason, we will continue to pay commissions due on all recurring memberships UNTIL 10 AUGUST 2008, on the basis
that the Terms and Conditions of the program, more specifically as they relate to the use of our name, logo, trademarks, graphics, banners and photos, are complied with."

That was the issue. I lost my rebills and was threatened via court action as I had left some banners up somewhere.

Seriously. If a company is this anal one time, they can be just as anal again.

[abostonboy]

When I get back to my desktop and have access to my emails, I will post the long discussion I had with this company. Basically my issues started way before 2005. It wasn't just one issue, but one issue after another. If I am not mistaken my final email to them was from my attorney, who basically said we will see you in court if that's the way you want it to be. I still believe I have a banner of there's up just because I felt like leaving it up.

There. Sue me.

[archer]

"Last but not least, U.S. Male Corps has never meant to attract the type of gay surfer other gay sites are preying on..."

wtf? :grrr:

what astonishing arrogance. sounds like the recruiter is a self hating faggot... that all other gay sites pander to us nancy boys, poofters, and shirtlifters.

news flash, recruiter, you may not think it but you're a faggot like the rest of us.

asshole.

writing crap like that is reason enough for me never to promote them.



i did note that the 'recruiter' didn't addres my post that more than half their niches have no pics.

[abostonboy]

Archer,

Some good points there. Did you notice the choice of words, "other gay sites are preying on"? I would like to to think that the company I work for doesn't "prey on" anybody.

intr.v. preyed, prey·ing, preys

1. To hunt, catch, or eat as prey: Owls prey on mice.
2. To victimize or make a profit at someone else's expense.
3. To plunder or pillage.
4. To exert a baneful or injurious effect: Remorse preyed on his mind.

[abostonboy]

"the official statement of MALECORPS, one of the sites to which James Guckert signed up as an affiliate:

A few years ago, MaleCorps.com provided individuals and affiliates with the option to have their own home page on the site for marketing purposes. Potential members would see each individual/affiliate's personal page and subscribe to see their photos. The revenue would then be shared between the affiliate and MaleCorps.com. This is the full extent of the relationship between MaleCorps.com and Jeff Gannon. All his photos were removed from the site about two years ago.

For the past few years, many steps were taken to avoid such occurrences, including the removal of all personal web pages, classifieds and listings from MaleCorps.com, as well as the cancellation of the affiliate program in order to keep a better control over the Male Corps trademarks and copyrighted information. As it stands, the site solely provides erotic photos and videos of models on their own, not involving any sexual activity, as well as links to third party providers. It is also noteworthy that the Male Corps web site has never been an escort service. "

Source: http://ancapistan.typepad.com/edit/2005/04/index.html

[Fred]

I could tear up your response line by line but i will try to remain stay concise, unlike the source post.




After all, U.S. Male Corps has always been different from most gay site. It is not ran by a gay webmaster but actual ex-special forces guys. It is not owned by an adult conglomerate but a firm with interests as varied as security, travel and airline businesses. Photos were usually not taken in studios, but on locations, around the world, often with extremely difficult access (such as the arctic). Hence having as well, often (there are exceptions of course), untypical models who are actual athletes in their field or genuine military personnel. The main photographer is not a computer geek but a former U.S. Navy SEAL.

Stereotype much? Most photographers are not computer geeks from my experience in the business. Many of them know just how to get to the programs that they need to work, but that is neither here nor there. Why does it matter that your photographer is a SEAL? If they do good work , they do good work, Period. Projecting yourself as some kind of elistist better than everyone else doesn't not make people think you are better, just shows some kind of internalized self-doubt or weakness on your part. This is further demonstrated by your statement below.

Last but not least, U.S. Male Corps has never meant to attract the type of gay surfer other gay sites are preying on, but more the normal type of outdoor dude, who has interests similar to any straight guy, but simply happens to like men. With this in mind, U.S. Male Corps will never be like other gay sites, will never have the typical tour format, and will never provide actual hardcore materials.

I'm not gay, even though many of the sites I work with are GLBT friendly, and we would never denigrate any part of our target audience. Not sure where you check your demographic information, but I with 99% confidence say that your demographic is not only outdoor men who happen like men. The power of the internet is that all people can get to their fetishes and niches, and you will find that "typical" is a word that is hard to use with all the differences out there and this statement isn't hard to verify for yourself. Also, if you are one of the most successful sites, then you know already that you have many different types of males, and even a percentage of females looking at your site. For every site, all paying clients in good standing are good not just the "normal outdoor types". I can't believe more people haven't called you on your use of the word "normal" in reference to a certain type of behavior. Considering how it is used to imply that other behavior is abnormal instead of just different.

[AlexManifestMan]

Wow...how did I miss this thread? I'm certain he doesn't mean to convey what we are reading. Who could be that misdirected? His entire letter made my skin crawl. I would love to write more but I have to get back to forcing straight guys to do things that they will soon be ashamed of and preying on 'the gays'.

Btw; only being able to cum with a Winchester 8 shot Defender shoved up your ass does not make you more of a MAN than the guy prefers something a little less aggressive. (my language become increasing crude the more pissed I get).

If I were better educated I could spell self-loathing without having to look it up. Man oh man.

[abostonboy]

Hahaha. Yeah. These morons REALLY irritate me. They didn't even have the balls to reply back.

It's actually ironic that ex-military guys are behind this site. Gives a whole new meaning to "burning bridges".

With a 500,000 Aelxa I don't think the site amounts to a piss hole in the snow.

[Fred]

Wow...how did I miss this thread? I'm certain he doesn't mean to convey what we are reading. Who could be that misdirected? His entire letter made my skin crawl. I would love to write more but I have to get back to forcing straight guys to do things that they will soon be ashamed of and preying on 'the gays'.

Btw; only being able to cum with a Winchester 8 shot Defender shoved up your ass does not make you more of a MAN than the guy prefers something a little less aggressive. (my language become increasing crude the more pissed I get).

If I were better educated I could spell self-loathing without having to look it up. Man oh man.


Mmm, well, that sounds like a new niche site to me. I will refer it to my boss.
Wincester Penetration.com coming to a site near you ;)

Slightly off topic response, on my part, but reading your post made me laugh so i had to say something to give you props :D

[archer]

as to male corps not coming back... i doubt they will since they've already shot their wad.

so is anyone actually promoting these "self hating faggots?" :grrr:

[gaydemon]

MaleCorps are back and up to their old tricks!

They are now actively recruiting affiliates again, after telling them to fuck off. However they have got their CCBill account setup to not payout on rebills. It seems these guys are unable to be fair or proffessional yet still want to get your traffic!

[dzinerbear]

Be careful, Bjorn, the MaleCorps guy will send you a nasty e-mail threatening to sue you for telling the truth.

Michael

[Seth]

WARNING: Do not visit their site/webmaster program page(s).

The moment I left their site, my system was hijacked. I'm now having to manually edit my registry to remove a bogus program that somehow got past my security.

Damn SOB's! :grrr:

[gaydemon]

Be careful, Bjorn, the MaleCorps guy will send you a nasty e-mail threatening to sue you for telling the truth.

Michael

I'd love for them to try to sue me! 666

Go figure there are some crap on their webmaster page. :grrr:

[RDude]

Just looking back at earlier posts - are these guys Canadian based? If so, what an embarrassing representation of someone from my native country running - or trying to run - a gay niche site. There's no way in hell I'm going there. I just got over a bug from picrush not too long ago.

Some people just don't get it I guess. Obviously they don't know what they want. If they have some marketing skills, perhaps they'll get some traffic. However, even if they do they'll infect their surfers and no one will go back. I can just imagine the money they've pissed down the toilet. What a bunch of idiots. Not to mention that affiliates don't get credited for rebills. Scumbags in the 1st degree by the sounds of it.

[Intense_Lloyd]

Be careful, Bjorn, the MaleCorps guy will send you a nasty e-mail threatening to sue you for telling the truth.

Michael

I say bring it on!

[gaydemon]

Interestingly enough and to MaleCorp credit. They did get back to me.

It might be a different person from a couple of years ago. He was very nice and have now changed their program and offers affiliates credit for rebills.

Maybe it's under new managment after all?