Re: Collecting posted addresses

From: Brendan Foley <bfoley_at_bluelight.com>
Date: Wed 13 Sep 2000 14:14:41 -0500

PAUL R. BYNUM <pb_at_coldwellbanker.com> WROTE:
> I collect local email addresses of agents from a
> public site (www.Realtor.com), placed on there by
> agents advertising their services. I use this list to
> mail out announcements of local continuing education
> courses they may find of interest. Is this Spam?

SPAM

The internet defines Spam in one very clear definition
UCE - Unsolicited Commercial Email. Unsolicited is key
here....

Previously I was with the leading Anti-Spam Service
company Brightmail, Inc. The action you are taking to
gather email addresses is spam. Sure, maybe the offer
is beneficial to both parties and yes you have
installed certain opt-out functions in your email, but
the question I will ask you is "Have I opt-ed in for
your service at any point?" Answer, No.

Ways that spammers gather email address....
- scour web sites for email address like in your
  example
- scour chat rooms (ie: AOL has the biggest problem
  with this as your username is the same as your
  email address)

Solutions.....be careful but I my internet eyes say you
are spamming because these realtors have never given
you prior approval to send them email.

Brendan





Received on Wed Sep 13 2000 - 14:14:41 CDT