Lawfirm represents both Obama and Facebook

This "Optin App" [see announcement below] was created by a well-known Internet Marketing guru and was a big deal for awhile in 2010-2011. I just happened to see this notice and realized that Perkins Coie is Obama's law firm and Bob Bauer was his White House counsel for a few years too!

See The Obama File for more information.

Facebook Shut Down the Optin App

On November 2nd, 2011. I received a cease and desist order from Carla L. Reyes of the Perkins Coie law firm that represents Facebook. To settle out of court, I had to sign an agreement stating that I would never use Facebook or create/sell any type of app that integrates with Facebook or I'd have to pay a $100,000 fine within 14 days.

Carla said that the Optin App violates Facebook's terms of service for developers. I still don't believe it does. But that's what Facebook says. Below is the specific set of terms that the Optin App "allegedly" violates.

Point II, 6 ("You will not directly or indirectly transfer any data you receive from us, including user data or Facebook User IDs, to (or use such data in connection with) any ad network, ad exchange, data broker, or other advertising or monetization related toolset, even if a user consents to such transfer or use.")? Because the email marketing tool is an "advertising or monetization related toolset"?

There are dozens if not hundreds of apps that do the exact same thing as Optin App - they just haven't been caught. Just like all the marketers who have been shut down by PayPal for selling "make money" products, which is against PayPal's terms of service. We got attention from Facebook because it was the most successful app of it's kind. Just like marketers who make too much money and get shut down by PayPal. See the correlation?