SL Exchange WebSite Censorship

This is the perfect time for somebody to create a competing website and steal away customers from SLEX..

One such site already does exist. And it is free to list there ( http://secondserver.net/ ). There are also 2 other similar sites that I know are in the works.

EDIT to add: I am not internally associated with any of the sites, nor do I currently list products on any of them.

Merwan has stated that he doesn't want a boycott and, in his most recent post, has said that he's not trying to influence people. I find this second point confusing made, as it was, on a post that clearly laid entire blame for the situation on Apotheus and went to great lengths to show that it's Apotheus' action (or inaction) that causes this to continue. It even makes it clear what the source of the 'blackmail' issue is. Saying he's not trying to influence people then making such a post against Apotheus is a conflict of positions. In addition I notice that Merwan has re-posted the same message twice on two different boards on SLExchange's forum - these do not appear to be the actions of somebody who is "not trying to influence people" and I'd suggest has done his cause more damage than good. Merwan appears to be playing the forum now, publicly challenging Apotheus based on what have obviously been private discussions between the two.

I cannot say that I blame Merwan for going so public on this, as it appears that he's getting nowhere privately, but to pretend that by posting publicly he's not trying to influence people is tenuous to say the least.

I did the posting.

Anyways, we're all bugging him for information. I think its reasonable that he lets people know what's going on.

Keep with the program Blaze. I'm talking about Merwan's original posts on the SLExchange forums much earlier today which were removed by Apotheus and led to him being banned from the SLExchange forums. Hence......Merwan starting this thread here.

It's reasonable to let people know what's going on, absolutely. But Merwan's words today, whilst saying he's not trying to influence people, are down right obviously trying to influence people and the situation in general.

It's reasonable to let people know what's going on, absolutely. But Merwan's words today, whilst saying he's not trying to influence people, are down right obviously trying to influence people and the situation in general.

All I did was quote, Moopf?

I think this is a far better alternative to boycotting, which is what everyone is trying to do here.

Hello, I'm contacting you as you're a merchant on SLExchange. There are some recent developments with SLExchange of which you should be aware.

Apotheus Silverman has terminated his relationship with his business partner without compensation. In an attempt to control the business he has tried to blackmail, stonewall, and intimidate his business partner into either leaving or selling out for a fraction of the site's worth.

I am asking you to show your support for ethical business practices by sharing this information with others, contacting Apotheus directly to request a resolution, and withdrawing your wares from SLexchange in boycott.

Below is supporting information from Apotheus's partner and other users who intend to boycott SLExchange.


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Originally Posted by Merwan Marker


When a bell rings, the sound travels from a single source outward. A bell can not be un-rung, this song can not be unsung.

Many people have asked me to speak about SL Exchange so they could decide how to proceed. Others have asked what to do regarding their products and L$ held at the site; some have asked what will happen in the future. I have even been encouraged to join in other ventures and to become active in boycotts of one sort or another.

I am NOT attempting to persuade public opinion - my goal has been just the opposite! I have worked to keep this private and to get back to business as usual, and that has not happened.

I've talked privately with SL residents who are uniquely involved with our community and who would be honest with me. I have also consulted with others I know personally and professionally.

SL Exchange has been involved with a number of RL and SL businesses. We have had discussions concerning services, features, and expansion into additional SL and RL markets. Other businesses are aware of our efforts from different perspectives - venture capital investors, Linden Lab folks, and other inWorld business people. I have used due diligence at all times, and have honored the terms and conditions of my SL Exchange business contract, the LL TOS and Community Standards. I continue to do so.

There is a written partnership contract detailing the SL Exchange business. I have a 40% owner share in SL Exchange - my business partner knows this, and has acknowledged our partnership contact as recently as today.

Simply put - I have been party to an attempted hostile take over of my ownership share of SL Exchange. This began early morning of 1/12/2005 when I was locked out of SLExchange.com and denied access to our business accounts.

At no time prior to 1/12/2005 was I informed by my partner that he had serious concerns about our business transactions. Six days later, just after midnight on 1/18/2005, he began this thread. During the previous 6 days, (12th-18th) he refused all attempts to discuss his grievances - including an inWorld meeting with a Linden Lab representative and myself.

On the afternoon of 1/18/2004, I received a message from him acknowledging our business contract, and an offer to purchase my 40% portion of SL Exchange. The offer stated that my failure to sell to him would result in SL Exchange ceasing operations. Some inWorld discussions have occurred, but we have failed to agree on how to value the business. I've been presented a final buyout offer and I am again told my failure to sell to him will result in the liquidation of the business. I have rejected his offers.

Lastly, the reference to blackmail in message #1 was not made by me. It referred to the first message to me on 1/12/2005 explaining why I was locked out of the website. In that message a L$-amount was offered to be paid to me immediately on 1/12/05 in return for my silence concerning the termination of my involvement with SL Exchange. If I choose not to agree to his cash offer, he stated I would receive nothing but I would be free to talk. I was also informed, there would be no negotiations, no telephone calls, no instant messages regarding this situation.

I thank everyone for their patience and restraint and the many messages of support and encouragement during this difficult time. Your positive words do matter, and their impact on me has been helpful.

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Originally Posted by Aaron Levy

I have no reason whatsoever NOT to believe what Merwan said in this post. It is because of that fact that I will not be part of a project that gives profit to Apotheus any longer. Apotheus started this thread as a P.R. stunt to salvage his image because he KNEW it would go public.

And I don't care WHAT Apotheus says the "definition" of blackmail is, HE IS BLACKMAILING MERWAN with his REPUTATION. Apotheus is taking this entire matter and putting it on Merwan's shoulder's, FORCING (blackmailing) him into taking what is obviously a lesser amount than Merwan's share is worth.

Merwan has EVERY RIGHT to not cave into threats and the shady practices of Apotheus. If SLExchange ceases operation, it will be because of the majority shareholder ceasing its operation.

People -- go get your money our of SLExchange NOW. We have witnessed the kind of business practices Apotheus uses, I will not allow him to do it with my money, no matter how large or small of a SLExchange customer or merchant I am. And this is saying a lot for me, because sales of my products on SLExchange beat my sales in-world almost 5 to 1. Hell, most of the time I don't have money in the game unless I've got SLExchange sales coming in.

It's a cool service. But cool services run by crooked people... I will not support.

I mean, hell, if Apotheus had just voiced his concerns, plans, ideas with Merwan, this whole ugly situation probably would have turned out a lot differently.

Now to go update my SecondServer account...

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Originally Posted by Jonquille Noir

I've also withdrawn my business from SLExchange.

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Originally Posted by Asha Lumiere

eah and he did it so well I thought he was the sole owner. He is the reason I used the service because I know he's trustworthy. I don't think I'll be using it anymore either. Why can't I withdraw my funds?

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Originally Posted by Moopf Murray

OK, I hope everybody is now removing their money and items from SLExchange. If Apotheus is willing to harm the merchants so obviously over this by ceasing operations if Merwan does not accept he needs to have everything pulled from beneath him. Let him cease operations. He'll never run an equivalent service like SLExchange after this if he does indeed go through with it as the community will just kick it into touch before he gets it started.

It's clear that Apotheus doesn't have the merchant's interests at heart here, only his own greed.

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Originally Posted by Francis Chung

I have temporarily de-listed my items from slexchange. I've seen enough that I'm seriously concerned about who I'm doing business with.

I will await for Apotheus to present his side of the story before coming to a final decision.

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Words influence people, Moopf...there's really no way Merwan or you or me can avoid that other than being totally silent. People have to base their opinions on something. for my part, I don't see any evidence that he's trying to pander for sympathy from the forum crowd...I kinda think that's a kneejerk assumption about a lot of posts on the forums.