Spam laws

[gopher]

Recently a law passed in Europe with regards the sending of unsolicited e-mail, does any one here know the details?

I seem to remember that it banned unsolicited emails from company to company, is this case, or have I got it wrong?

Cheers

Paul

[Plotloss]

Its to do with companies protecting their staff from potentially offensive spam I think.

So under these laws, if an employee recieves a spam mail in their inbox they can sue their employer for mental anguish from having to see whatever the mail contained.

I got one this morning funnily enough, I have no intention of sueing at all but I may have some fun with it for a while...

[simpo two]

gopher said:

Recently a law passed in Europe with regards the sending of unsolicited e-mail, does any one here know the details? I seem to remember that it banned unsolicited emails from company to company, is this case, or have I got it wrong?

IIRC yes. Business Link sent me an e-mail saying 'did I want any more e-mails from them?' Strangely I forgot to reply...

You can still send individual e-mails to prospects, it's just the bulk mailing 'bcc' stuff that's affected, I think.

But of course this only goes to illustrate how hopelessly far behind the numpty politicians are - the irritating spam is not B2B and not from this country. Doh!

[steviebee]

The law (which technically is uneforceable) only applies in the cases of Business to Consumer, not Business to Business.

If you intend to mail to consumers and you are buying lists, it is your responsibility to check that they have opted in.

[gopher]

Cheers everyone,

That all answers my question very nicely (I won't be breaking any laws)

Paul

[steviebee]

Here's the details in case you fancy a bit light reading!


www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2002/ l_201/l_20120020731en00370047.pdf

[shadowninja]

steviebee said:

The law (which technically is uneforceable) only applies in the cases of Business to Consumer, not Business to Business. If you intend to mail to consumers and you are buying lists, it is your responsibility to check that they have opted in.

Like they'd actually bother. All they do is put "You previously subscribed to an associate list." which apparently covers them. (Well, thats for the US version of the antispam law)

[steviebee]

shadowninja said:

steviebee said: The law (which technically is uneforceable) only applies in the cases of Business to Consumer, not Business to Business. If you intend to mail to consumers and you are buying lists, it is your responsibility to check that they have opted in. Like they'd actually bother. All they do is put "You previously subscribed to an associate list." which apparently covers them. (Well, thats for the US version of the antispam law)

..which is why the law is unenforceable - or very difficult to enforce.

It really comes down to common sense and courtesy.

We advise all our clients who want to send out bulk e-mails to send a short one first that say they would like to send something, what it will contain, file size etc. We also include a postal address and phone number. If the receipient isn't interested, they just reply saying no thanks and that's the last they ever hear.

Works fine!