Is this website Legal?

[Ray]

Is legal.. i just dont understand how it could be...

http://www.instantdegrees.com/

 

[bmugford]

There are a bunch of websites like this. In general I think the diplomas are worth the paper they are printed on basically.

 

[Ray]

But is it legal... i think it is messed up how someone can spend 120$ and be set for life...

 

[bmugford]

I am not sure how it works exactly. I have never been to an interview and been asked for a physical copy of a diploma. I am not sure what school you "graduated" from or how it is verified. I guess I should get a degree in Advanced Quantum Physics

 

[Ray]

I guess I should get a degree in Advanced Quantum Physics

yeah that would work out well huh.. lol

 

[evertonian7uk]

the internet lol!

the problem comes around when you say you have a degree in X and then you get job Y but since you really didnt get the degree your kinda going to get found out pretty quick,

if you use one of these things to get a job, you must be desperate, and for $120 if your going to use one, just scan one and photoshop it lol

 

[Dave_Z]

But is it legal

Depends on whose laws we're talking here.

 

[Ross]

Fake and Highly illegal !

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=2567661&nav=E8YvT9pg

http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/20573

 

[Ray]

Someone should make a law that prohibits them

 

[barefoottech]

In Australia someone did and we have the laws now preventing "Diploma Mills"

 

[HFear]

So basically this website is assuming that you have the knowledge of whatever you want to get a degree in, and they're just giving you a degree because you want to order one. I feel sorry for anyone that believes this is real. I'm sure there will be people out there who actually go ahead and buy this thinking it's legit! I hope this website gets shutdown. jberryhill is an expert in these matters, I'm not sure if he still browses NamePros but if he does I'm sure he can explain to us whether or not this is legal and how this website can be shut down.

 

[unique_domains]

Please cease and desist from putting down this site as it's where I recieved my diploma as a certified domainer.

 

[DNQuest.com]

Legal or no legal? that is the question. They say they will give a degree based on thier requirements. Now, one thing they do not say, if it is an accredited degree (they are not). IMO- the legality may come in when you are asked about an accredited degree. You would be the one lying about it.


Look at it this way, how many colleges out there give "honorary deagrees", is this a degree? yes, it is an accredited degree... hmmmm. Basically, these companies have standards, some are just lower than others. You do get a piece of paper, whether it is worth anything all depends on who checks.

 

[Ross]

Degrees and diplomas issued by diploma mills have been used to obtain employment, raises, or clients. Even if issuing or receiving a diploma mill qualification is legal, passing it off as an accredited one for personal gain is a crime in many jurisdictions. In some cases the diploma mill may itself be guilty of an offense, if it knew or ought to have known that the qualifications it issues are used for fraudulent purposes. Diploma mills could also be guilty of fraud if they mislead customers into believing that the qualifications they issue are accredited or recognized, or make false claims that they will lead to career advancement, and accept money on the basis of these claims.

Some unaccredited institutions include disclaimers in respect of accreditation in the small print of their contracts.

Fake degrees are risky for buyers and consumers, says John Bear, a distance learning and diploma mills expert. "It is like putting a time bomb in your resumé. It could go off at any time, with dire consequences. The people who sell fake degrees will probably never suffer at all, but the people who buy them often suffer mightily. And -- particularly if their "degree" is health-related -- their clients may be seriously harmed."[4]

Terrorism worries
On December 15, 2005, CNN aired a report on diploma mills and terrorism. The report explained that "H-1B visas can be issued to anyone who is highly skilled and can get a job in the U.S. McDevitt is concerned a phony advanced degree could be the first step for someone in a terrorist sleeper cell."

The report explained, the Secret Service "bought their own degree for a perfect terrorist candidate, although theirs was fictional." The person was Mohammed Syed with no formal education, but training in chemical engineering with the Syrian army. "The Secret Service even added to Syed's application that he needed a degree quickly, so he could find employment and obtain an H-1B visa, allowing him to stay in the US." Furthermore, "In less than a month, the imaginary Syrian army expert was notified, James Monroe University was awarding him three advanced degrees in engineering and chemistry, all for $1,277."[42]

These places even gave a CAT a degree.

In 2004, a housecat named Colby Nolan was awarded an "Executive MBA" by Texas-based Trinity Southern University. The cat belonged to a deputy attorney general looking into allegations of fraud by the school. The cat's application was originally for a Bachelor of Business Administration, but due to the cat's "qualifications" (including work experience in fast-food and as a paperboy) the school offered to upgrade the degree to an Executive MBA for an additional $100. As a result of this incident, the Pennsylvania attorney general has filed suit against the school.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diploma_mill

These things can only get you in to hefty trouble if you try to use one to get a job. Totally asinine and retarded if you ask me. For gods sake they gave a house cat a freakin degree based on fast food and paperboy experience. WTF!?

 

[kbweb]

They say you must testify under perjury that you have sufficient life experience to get a degree.

They say there's a legal loophole.

These "legal loopholes" are one reason why society is so corrupt. People use "legal" methods to take advantage of others. If there's nothing specifically written, people feel free to do what they know should be wrong. Why are there thousands upon thousands of laws? To cover all the loopholes which people always look for. It's ridiculous. If anybody goes for this they will probably find this isn't worth the paper it's written on.

 

[unique_domains]

Not that selling docs isn't going on offline in places you wouldn't expect. But still, sad sad to see they can just make a website with this.

 

[labrocca]

They say you must testify under perjury that you have sufficient life experience to get a degree.

They say there's a legal loophole.

These "legal loopholes" are one reason why society is so corrupt. People use "legal" methods to take advantage of others. If there's nothing specifically written, people feel free to do what they know should be wrong. Why are there thousands upon thousands of laws? To cover all the loopholes which people always look for. It's ridiculous. If anybody goes for this they will probably find this isn't worth the paper it's written on.

I don't have day one of college experience yet I owned a retail operation for 10 years. Are you saying that I don't deserve experience credits when obtaining a degreee? Just because some people exploit this doesn't mean it can't be a legitimate and legal service. I am fairly certain I could apply myself to certain colleges asking for credit based upon my vast experience in certain areas. I know a shitload more than most 4 year college grads.

 

[npcomplete]

I don't have day one of college experience yet I owned a retail operation for 10 years. Are you saying that I don't deserve experience credits when obtaining a degreee? Just because some people exploit this doesn't mean it can't be a legitimate and legal service. I am fairly certain I could apply myself to certain colleges asking for credit based upon my vast experience in certain areas. I know a shitload more than most 4 year college grads.

That highlighted part is undoubtedly true!

I never cease to be amazed at the morons that are coming out of accredited institutions with degrees in hand. These days a smart interviewer will focus on what a person knows and how they think. Degrees are *an* indicator of knowledge, but hardly *the* indicator, and certainly less reliable than years ago. I frequently ask a person to solve a problem on the spot during an interview... just to see *how* they think. The actual solution is less important than judging their reasoning process. This is usually a shocker to the interviewee that was prepared to talk about their dissertation, and only their dissertation.

 

[.X.]

Real experience credits should be allowed, provided they can be confirmed,Imo

If you read a lot of these sites disclosures, they say these degrees are for "Novelty Purposes" That makes them legal. If presented to a prospective employer, that is illegal.

 

[DBADT2007]

If anyone read the TOS (http://www.instantdegrees.com/tos.html) you would find some key (RED FLAGS), which raises the question of its legitimacy. In some countries this product/service would be deemed completely illegal.

The Client has checked diligently with local legislation in the Jurisdiction of residence and the intended Jurisdiction of use of the award that the possession and use of a foreign, unaccredited or privately accredited degree conforms with local legislation.

This tells you that its your responsibility to check whether its valid or not within your country.

Neither the Client nor any associated person is a journalist or media professional acting in that capacity. Neither the Client nor any associated person is going to obtain an award or awards through InstantDegrees.com to publish a news story or article of any sort in any media whatsoever, specifically including but not limited to printed matter, books, magazines, journals, newspapers, television, radio, multimedia, Internet, websites, Chat Rooms, Newsgroups, Forums, Usenet, telephone, mobile telephone, Wireless Access Protocol, FAX (facsimile transmissions) or emails.

Press/Journalist not permitted to try their product/service and write about it.

Neither the Client nor any associated person is a law enforcement officer or investigator acting in that capacity, nor acting on behalf of a law enforcement agency. Neither the Client nor any associated person is obtaining documents or products to use as evidence in any type of civil or criminal investigation.

Law enforcement/Law agency is not permitted to investigate. You can't use their product/service as evidence for a civil or criminal investigation.

In the event that Apostille, Legalisation, or Notarisation is desired to support the degree or award document, then the Client undertakes to use only the Approved services provided by http://www.apostille.com . The Client understands that any attempt to aquire Apostille, Legalisation or Notarisation through any other source will lead to automatic invalidation of the document without recompense or recourse.

If you need to get the document legalized, as some jurisdiction require; to affirm the validity of the documents, you must do it through one of their affiliates, otherwise its invalidated.

All documents obtained through InstantDegrees.com are for the Client’s personal use.

This statement is key, because it could imply you can't use it for any job or anything else, other than as a novelty item.

The Client, the person named on the award and all associated persons agree not to name any person associated with InstantDegrees.com (regardless of the form of that association), nor publish the name, address, telephone number, mobile telephone number, FAX (facsimile) or email address of any person, corporate body or Institution associated with InstantDegrees.com (regardless of the form of that association).

The company itself may not be the only one involved, there might be other companies/educational institutions involved which desire to remain anonymous.

Confidentiality
By making a purchase, the Client and any associated person agree to be irrevocably bound by this Confidentiality Contract.

The Client and any associated person agree in perpetuity never to reveal by act or omission of action, directly or indirectly, information that could draw or could be construed as drawing a connection between InstantDegrees.com and the Institution by any means. This includes, but is not limited to publication in printed matter, books, magazines, journals, newspapers, television, radio, multimedia, Internet, websites, Chat Rooms, Newsgroups, Forums, Usenet, telephone, mobile telephone, Wireless Access Protocol, FAX (facsimile transmissions) or emails.

In the event that the Client or any associated person reveals by act or omission of action, directly or indirectly, information that could draw or could be construed as drawing a connection between InstantDegrees.com and the Institution by any means, including but is limited to information published in printed matter, books, magazines, journals, newspapers, television, radio, multimedia, Internet, websites, Chat Rooms, Newsgroups, Forums, Usenet, telephone, mobile telephone, Wireless Access Protocol, FAX (facsimile transmissions) or emails, then they shall be guilty of Breach of Contract according to the terms of this Confidentiality Contract.

First you are not allowed to reveal who is involved and then if you do so, you will be guilty of breaching confidentiality. And what does it mean if you breach confidentiality? Just keep reading, its coming up.

Penalties
In the event that the Client or any associated person breaches or causes to be breached the Confidentiality Contract, they shall be liable and agree jointly and severally to pay restitution to InstantDegrees.com, on demand, the sum of $100,000 U.S. (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) for Breach of Contract.

Any act of bad faith by the Client in not obeying and respecting the Terms of Service, Acceptable Use Policy, Disclaimer and Confidentiality Contract, as outlined in this website will be deemed to be an act of bad faith. Any Client deemed guilty of an act of bad faith, agrees to pay restitution to InstantDegrees.com, on demand, the sum of $100,000 U.S. (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) for an act of bad faith.

So there you have it. If you breach their contract, you will be held liable for $100,000 USD (sounds to me more like extortion, if you ask me) .

Final Note,
They seem to want this contract to be held valid within Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory . So they might be subject to British law, which may invalidate this contract partially, or completely. However, I will state that if the US government got a wind of this operation, I seriously doubt that the contract would hold at all. Too many ways for it to be invalidated, within the rules ofcourse. :D

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and do not provide, or claim to provide, legal advice. All commentary, on this subject is for educational purposes only. If you need legal advice, please consult a lawyer.