Friday 27 December 2013

I gotta whisper cause I can't be too loud

Sooooo what an eventful Holiday Season.. you'd think people would be more full of cheer and such.. but nah.. I had a sale at S&C which caused uproar about price fixing and mesh creators harassing designers etc. Then someone attempted to hack my account which caused Linden Lab to freeze my account. Had to send in ID and whatnot.. a little digging and it was easy to see who was responsible. For others to hack people for standing up for themselves (then again some signs point to an old feud I had a year ago with another designer) or because they made something that was similar as someone else's is disgusting. Another resident on SL had her inventory deleted, her store deleted, money was temporarily stolen.. and someone wanted the same to happen to me... and then to find out the person involved is a scripter and partner of someone who owns another store in SL.. is that what it's come down to? Pushing others out of the way and destroy them to get ahead? It's disgusting. With that being said.. Sugar & Cyanide is closing it's doors and the store is once again 80% off. I hope everyone is happy... I hope that you now get more customers and all the pixel fame you need to feel whole. I spent the 8 months I was back.. minding my own business, others should try it some time.





Skin: The Skinnery - Sasha
Hair: Truth - Gaia
Antlers: Reign - ReignDeer Snowflakes (Rare)
Eyes: [Buzz] Dolly Eyes (Winter)
Lipstick: Chary - Frost
Makeup: Chary - Devotion
Wings: Barely Legal - Mesh Winterheart Wings
Elbow Pads: Chary (Group Gift)
Dress: Barely Legal - Unfaithful - NEW!
Stockings: S&C - Toeless Gartered Stockings @Strokers Sexpo
Feet: Slink


Thursday 26 December 2013

STORE CLOSING - 80% OFF!!!!!!


Sugar & Cyanide is closing it's doors. As most of you know my account was locked for a few days as someone tried to hack me recently. I did find out who and have the evidence should anyone wish to view it. 

I'm not closing because of this attack, I have found that once again the negativity and lack of enjoyment have trumped my desire to be here creating. I haven't been enjoying it for some time now and I feel this is the right thing to do. This isn't a case of "they win" this is a case of... I win.


Tuesday 17 December 2013

Price Fixing in Second Life!!!

Imagine going to a store and purchasing some wood, tools, and other materials to build a house. As you settle your things on the check out table, the cash register tells you "before I ring your purchase, just know that when you build the house you can't sell it for less then $100,000 dollars." How would you feel? How about if you now knew that it is illegal? Not so great, huh?

Well that is exactly! what is happening in Second Life and people seem alright with it for the most part. I want to believe that is due to ignorance and that is why I want to shed light to this illegality taking place.

I personally didn't know this was illegal until a recent argument between two designers erupted. One designer was the original creator of a mesh template and the other was the designer using the template. The mesh creator accused the designer of breaking her TOS because she had a sale, the creator's tos read in part:

"You are NOT allowed to:

- give away the RAR, pds, tga, dae, obj, or clothing for free & full perm......
- sell your creation under 120L. The outfits are professional done and we don't want to destroy the sl economy.
- give away as freebies or group gifts.
(If you see anyone acting against my tos please report to me asap that i can take action)"

Now most people like me (when I was blind to LAWS) would say "but this is the creator's work, there is nothing wrong with this person making their own TOS for their own creation that they sweated an arm and leg for" WRONG!

Around the world this is called price fixing and it is ILLEGAL. Price Fixing is where sellers come together or alone to buy or sell a product, service, or commodity only at a fixed price or try to maintain the market at a certain price by controlling supply and demand. This may lead to high prices and bigger profits for all sellers. Sellers agree not to discount the sales price lower then agree to as a minimum price.

What Does This Mean?

Profit for the seller and designer, exploitation for YOU! the customer, due to the higher prices in place. Normally, in a place where competition is allowed and there is no price fixing, sellers can have sales, sell at a lower cost, be fair to customers while generating a profit.

How Does Price Fixing Happen In SL?

There are two ways this can happen. One is by expression (I randomly chose these examples by entering "template" in the search box in the marketplace) which looks like this:


"Overall price can not be less then my item(s) total current selling price. For example; if you used 3 of my items which are $250L each, total outfit can not be any less then $750L."

"You can price it as you like as long as it's not below 70 lindens"

"You are not permitted to advertise clothing made from our mesh products in any form (modified or as is) as a freebie, dollarbie, or less then 99L on SL marketplace. This ensures everyone has a fair opportunity with our templates."

The second way is implied, where a designer/creator speaks out in public or to another designer and says something along the lines "why is that person having a sale or lowering their cost? This is what ruins our market!. People shouldn't sell their items for a much lesser price"

Does This Even Benefit Creators/Designers In The Long Run?

No!  Creators/Designers gain more by providing more values to its customers then their competitions do by either lowering prices or providing better quality items/services.

And people who are price fixing will always! be out done by those who put their customers first! After all customers are more likely to shop when prices are reasonable, there are sales, and there is a lesser price for a better quality item elsewhere.

Price Fixers are also outdone by other businesses who are more liberal.

If Price Fixing Is Illegal, Are We Allowed To Report The Creators/Designers doing this? 

Of course you can! Just like any other laws such as the intellectual property laws that second life follows, anything that is Real Life law, SL must! abide by it.


You can look up your local Antritrust Office if you are in the USA and report it via their website or phone. For example my site is NY. In that site you will find their phone number, how to file a report, how the complaint is handled and more.

In the UK you can report it by finding your local Office Of Fair Trading (OFT)

In Other countries you will have to look for your local consumer/commerce commission and/or look up your antitrust laws offices.

What Can Happen To Them?

They can be prosecuted as a criminal for federal offense and/or fined.


Feel free to google and find out what happened to some companies that got caught =]


But How Can Someone Be Punished In Real Life When They Are Selling In SL?

Remember that Creators/Designers make real life money (in the case of a mesh creator we are talking about A LOT of money, enough for the feds to care) and that SL follows Real Life laws. For example with  intellectual laws anyone in second life can real life sue a person stealing their copyright/trademark and other kinds of work. Here is what the TOS say for second life in regards to real life laws....


LL's TOS: "Intellectual Property Rights" means copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade dress, publicity rights, database rights, patent rights and other intellectual property rights or proprietary rights recognized by law....Because the law may or may not recognize certain Intellectual Property Rights in any particular Content, you should consult a lawyer if you want legal advice regarding your legal rights in a specific situation. You acknowledge and agree that you are responsible for knowing, protecting, and enforcing any Intellectual Property Rights you hold, and that Linden Lab cannot do so on your behalf."

"10.2 The applicable law and venue is in San Francisco, California."


"You agree that this Agreement and the relationship between you and Linden Lab shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to conflict of law principles or the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods. Further, you and Linden Lab agree to submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in the City and County of San Francisco, California, except as provided in Section 10 regarding arbitration."


"11.1 The Service is a United States-based service."


"Linden Lab controls and operates the Service from its offices in the United States. Linden Lab makes no representation that any aspect of the Service is appropriate or available for use outside of the United States. Those who access the Service from other locations are doing so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with applicable local laws regarding your online conduct and acceptable content, if and to the extent local laws apply. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, we reserve the right to limit the availability of, restrict access to, or discontinue the Service and/or any content, program, product, service or other feature described or available on the Service to any person, entity, geographic area, or jurisdiction, at any time and in our sole discretion, and to limit the quantities of any content, program, product, service, or other feature that we provide."


As you can clearly see, LL abides by real life laws and those laws are the ones of the USA, California where price fixing is completely illegal.


What Can We Do As Customers?

Besides reporting it, you can purchase 100% mesh from Creators/Designers who do not sell their templates or you can purchase from Creators/Designers who do not follow price fixing.



In Conclusion-

We as customers must stand together and united as much as Creators/Designers stand united over TOS being respected. I don't get how these same people talk soooooo much about TOS, intellectual properties, copybots and scammers of their items, getting highly upset if such laws in place are not respected but then they lack respect for customers? Many who are real life disabled, low income, and struggling. I definitely am not going to support creators that are doing this nor designers who are purchasing from creator's doing this and I suggest you don't either. By doing so, what you are supporting is exploitation and illegal activities.

Courtesy of: Skittles in the Pit

Sunday 15 December 2013

Happy Holidays!

Sugar & Cyanide is taking a break... and celebrating with 80% off the ENTIRE store!!! Happy Holidays!!!



Thursday 12 December 2013

Wednesday 11 December 2013

Secret Wednesday!

Here's the Secret Wednesday item.. it's right by the doors and only 49L! Go grab it!



Bewbapalooza!

New round of Bewbapalooza is open! Here's what you can find there from .Sugar & Cyanide.



TP to BEWBAPALOOZA!


Monday 9 December 2013

Stuff in Stock!

Another round of Stuff in Stock has opened! Here's the exclusive from .Sugar & Cyanide.



Winter Gacha Fair!

The Winter Gacha Fair is now OPEN! Here's what you can find there from .Sugar & Cyanide. ... hop on over and check it out.. many other designers involved including A&A and Barely Legal Couture




Saturday 7 December 2013

AVI Choice Awards & Gifts!!

It's an absolute honour to be nominated for "FAVOURITE WOMEN'S APPAREL" for the 2013 Avi Choice Awards

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When I realized that to even be on the list you had to have more than 3 nominations.. I was blown away! It is you the residents, the customers who have made this possible and I am completely appreciative of all the love and support I have received this past year. 

As some of you know, this time last year I was throwing a big sale in Sugar & Cyanide and leaving SL for good. I let bullies chase me away.. I listened when people told me I wasn't good enough. That my store was crap. I won't bother naming names or pointing fingers as I have grown as a person since all that and I won't give them the time of day. 

Adrenalynn Rush of Barely Legal Couture contacted me some time after I left SL and we had a few heart to hearts and she convinced me to come back.. and I did. I worked my butt off and didn't let the words of bullies and drama causers phase me. Instead, I focused on the positives. I strive to bring my customers quality items for excellent prices. I don't believe in gouging the customers and believe you can look fabulous in SL without going broke!

I enjoy sponsoring events at clubs, I love making people happy and giving them free items, sales, parties and I enjoy giving back by participating in charity events. 

All in all it has been an AMAZING year and I thank each and everyone of you who nominated me and have been voting their butts off.. I love you all. I couldn't do any of this without you. I'm glad I came back.. you all make it worth it with your love and support. A very special thank you to Adrenalynn as well.. without her I wouldn't have bothered to come back.. she's my rock in this crazy place.. and I love you to bits and pieces.

If you wish to throw Sugar & Cyanide a vote.. you can do so here:

→→  http://avichoiceawards.com/vote-for-your-favorite/fashion-categories/  ←←


(Favourite Women's Apparel)


If you've managed to read all this.. hop in world and pop over to the store.. click on the subscriber and join and get your 4 FREE gifts!

Thanks again sooooo much!
Jaysee Netizen




Friday 6 December 2013

Silicone!

A new round of Silicone is open! Here's what you can find there from .Sugar & Cyanide.!



TP to Silicone!

December Group Gift!

It's a bit late.. but here it is... Make sure you wear your group tag to grab it! 



Monday 2 December 2013

Add a little sparkle and shine...

S&C brings the sparkle & shine to your holiday wardrobe with this epic cute tank dress in Blizzard & Eve.
Dress : S&C - Tank Dress (Blue) Blizzard - (Red) Eve
Pants : S&C - Spencer 

Thank You!

I'm absolutely surprised and honoured to say that .Sugar & Cyanide. has been nominated for Second Life's 2013 AV Choice Awards! This means a lot to me because I know it was the residents, you the customers that have done the nominating and will do the voting! I think you guys absolutely rock and thank you so much for all your support and love!! ♥

We are nominated in the "Favourite Women's Apparel" category, Thank You so much to those who nominated us.. amazing! xoxox 

Whoever wins in all the categories certainly deserve it.. so much goes in to having a store in SL and everyone works so hard and is so creative!.. congrats to those who win! \o/ The presentation is December 15th! 



Sunday 1 December 2013

Of all the faces, you are the one next to me

Some newness from Pretty Liar which you can find at Silicone. Lots of amazing designers over there.. Loved these tops had to show them off! Grabbed up these jeans from Cynful at Winter Trend fair as well...and of course The Arcade is open now.. it's not everytime I get what I want first shot but when it came to these owl necklaces from Maxi Gossamer I did! \o/ I also got the bears I wanted wooooo! 





Skin: The Skinnery - Ming
Hair: Magika - Sudden
Eyes: [Buzz] Dolly Eyes -Winter
Piercing: Cute Poison - Anethema
Necklace: MG - Truth Owl @ The Arcade
Arm Tat: PMS - Grim Reaper Sleeve
Top: [PL] - Netted Top @ Silicone
Belly Tat: Delusions - Come and Get It 
Jeans: Cynful - Skinny Jeans @ Winter Trend
Feet: Slink




Suicide Dollz!

Another round of Suicide Dollz is now... OPEN! So many great items and designers... here's what you can find there from .Sugar & Cyanide.!




Stuck on You Hunt

The Stuck on You Hunt has started today... here is the hunt gift! The hint is "In the Corner all Alone"



Naughty or Nice Hunt

The Naughty or Nice Hunt started today! Here is the hunt gift... hint is "Friendship is Magic




~*~ Let Me Live That Fantasy ~*~




Hey Ya'll. It's Anna Rexia!!....It's Been A Good While Since I Did A Post On Here. Took A Little Time Away From Blogging. I Decided To Come Back Bc People NEEEEEED To See The New Amazing Items Being Put Out By S&C. I Am Sooo In Love With This Trench Coat & Many More Of The Newer Items. So Many Must Haves. Anywaysss, Hope Everyone Is Doing Well & Keep Up The FANTASTIC Work Jaysee. x0x0x


WEARING:
HAIR- Exile - Erase & Rewind 
JACKET- S&C - Carissa
LEGGINGS- *Sheer* - Very Black Torn
BOOTS- GOS - Triumph Boots 
SUNGLASSES-  SteinWerk - Aviator Custom Sunglasses
HORNS- :FY: - Succubus Complete Set
KNEE CUT- Corvus - Bloody Knees
CHEEK PLUGS- S H O C K - Pierce My Face 
NECK TATTOO- Corvus - Dead Tattoo 





Lazy Sunday!

This week's Lazy Sunday Item is just 40L! Hop on over and grab it.