Vitae Global ceased operations on April 12, 2018, just weeks after confidentially settling a protracted legal battle with Valentus. The multi-level marketing company informed website visitors of its immediate shutdown, leaving distributors without their previous business model.
The company's collapse came after a period of declining online interest. Alexa traffic estimates for the Vitae Global website showed peak activity in the fourth quarter of 2017. Interest then dropped sharply throughout early 2018, preceding the final closure announcement.
The legal dispute began in May 2017 when Advanced Laboratories and its owner, Louis Volpe, filed a contract dispute lawsuit against Valentus. Volpe was also a co-founder of Vitae Global. Valentus responded with a counter-claim, accusing Volpe and Vitae Global of violations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO. Such allegations often involve patterns of criminal activity, including fraud or illegal business practices.
Both the original lawsuit and the RICO counter-claim were settled confidentially on February 21, 2018. This private resolution raised questions among observers, particularly given the severity of the allegations both companies had leveled against each other. Neither party ultimately pursued the claims in open court, opting instead for an undisclosed agreement.
Following Vitae Global's shutdown, co-founder Jim Britt launched Viba Global. This new entity appears to be an effort to continue selling products previously offered by Vitae Global, but under a different sales structure. Viba Global operates using a single-level affiliate model, eliminating the multi-level compensation plan that defined Vitae Global.
Under the Viba Global model, the MLM opportunity previously available to Vitae Global affiliates no longer exists. Instead, the company focuses on direct retail sales. Former Vitae Global affiliates are being "grandfathered" into Viba Global. Those who maintain a monthly autoship order can earn an additional 10% commission on retail customer orders. This incentive aims to retain a segment of the previous distributor base.
The standard commission rate for retail sales of Lean Java Bean products, a key offering, is 30%. Viba Global has also advertised opportunities for affiliates to earn from a "future bonus pool" and qualify for vacation packages and other prizes. Specific details regarding these additional bonuses have not been publicly disclosed. The shift from a multi-level structure means that affiliates no longer build downlines or earn residual income from the sales efforts of others beneath them. Instead, their earnings are tied directly to their personal retail sales and autoship status.