Spam Law...?

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steveonz

151 posts

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#34421 24-May-2009 17:39

Hello there,

I would like to find out more about the anti-spam law.

I am looking at sending some emails to some firms in Australia. Their email addresses are freely available from a website based in Australia that lists all their names and email addresses. In total there are about 5000 contacts on the website and I intend to go through and email them all.

I will not be placing them on a mail list as this is only intended to be a once off email.

My question is; where does this become spam? And is this against the anti spam law?
Is there any way of getting around this being seen as spam?

Cheers
Steven

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#217469 24-May-2009 18:32

Not sure about Aussie, but in New Zealand, pretty much if you publish your email address, you are fair game to be contacted with a legitimate business offer.

steveonz

151 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#217493 24-May-2009 19:23

Really? But I thought this would breech the Anti Spam Laws.

As the companies are in OZ, am I still bound by the NZ Law?

LennonNZ

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#217515 24-May-2009 20:50

I would say you would be in breach of the NZ Anti Spam Laws and get you in trouble. the NZ law comes into affect if the Source (sent from, person who sent it, initiated, advertising etc etc etc) has anything to do with NZ.

The main thing about it being spam or not spam is do you have PERMISSION to send them the emails?
Their email addresses being on the net does not give you permission to send them unsoliciated emails.

If you are contacting the person (whose email is on the net) about something which their email address is on the net for then you would be ok IMHO.

For example...
if it is a hotel and you email them about making a booking then yes thats ok.
if it is a hotel and you email them about trying to sell them something then no thats no ok
If it is an education place and you email someone about a particular course then yes its ok
if it is an education place and you email everyone about a complaint then its not ok

see the point.. So make sure (if you are going to contact them you are contacting them only for the reason they have put their email address online for....

If you are unsure then its very easy to go to www.antispam.govt.nz and email them if what you are going to do would be spam.