2019 Mississippi Code
Title 75 - Regulation of Trade, Commerce and Investments
Chapter 24 - Regulation of Business for Consumer Protection
Pyramid Promotional Schemes.
§ 75-24-71. Definitions
- As used in Sections 75-24-71 through 75-24-77, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings as described in this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) “Bona fide inventory repurchase program” means a program by which an entity repurchases from a salesperson current and marketable inventory in the possession of the salesperson, upon request and upon commercially reasonable terms, when the salesperson’s business relationship is terminated.
(b) “Commercially reasonable terms” means the repurchase of current and marketable inventory within twelve (12) months after the date of purchase at not less than ninety percent (90%) of the original net cost, less appropriate set-offs and legal claims, if any.
(c) “Compensation” means a payment of any money, thing of value, or financial benefit conferred in return for inducing another person to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme.
(d) “Consideration” as used in Sections 75-24-71 through 75-24-77 means the payment of cash or the purchase of goods, services, or intangible property. The term does not include the purchase of goods or services furnished at cost to be used in making sales and not for resale, or time and effort spent in pursuit of sales or recruiting activities.
(e) “Inventory” includes both goods and services, including company-produced promotional materials, sales aids, and sales kits that an entity requires independent salespersons to purchase.
(f) “Inventory loading” means the requirement or encouragement by a plan or operation that its independent salesperson purchase inventory in an amount that exceeds the amount that the salesperson can expect to resell for ultimate consumption or to use or consume in a reasonable time period, or both.
(g) “Promote” means to contrive, prepare, establish, plan, operate, advertise, or otherwise induce or attempt to induce another person to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme.
(h) “Pyramid promotional scheme” means any plan or operation by which a person gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation that is derived primarily from the introduction of other persons into the plan or operation rather than from the sale and consumption of goods, services, or intangible property by a participant or other persons introduced into the plan or operation. The term includes any plan or operation under which the number of people who may participate is limited either expressly or by the application of conditions affecting the eligibility of a person to receive compensation under the plan or operation, or any plan or operation under which a person, on giving any consideration, obtains any goods, services, or intangible property in addition to the right to receive compensation.
