Email Marketing Question

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by Berethend, Dec 30, 2011.

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  1. #1
    Hey guys. I don't think this is illegal, but I'd like to make sure. I've been using a software called Atomic Email Hunter to collect email addresses for the purpose of marketing. The software works by searching google for certain keywords, and then one by one going site by site and seeing if there are any email addresses posted on the site in the form of text or hyperlink. It then compiles a list of all of the emails it finds during its search.

    I'm not trying to sell anything in the emails I'm sending, nor am I planning on selling these lists in any way. I'm collecting about 10,000 emails to send a 1 off email to them all about my own website in the same niche as theirs to hopefully gain some exposure for my own work in my given niche. Is this illegal to do considering the fact that the email addresses are posted publicly on the web?
     
    Berethend, Dec 30, 2011 IP
  2. castingcalls2

    castingcalls2 Member

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    #2
    No I don't think so. Sending an email is a common task and that too they posted their email publicly thats their problem . Your email turns into problems only when u send racism or any lottery scam mails,because there is a availability today to complain about mails messages and every small task but only when there is atleast a small mistake in it ! later Cyber police trace I.P & Warn them at first and etc !
     
    castingcalls2, Dec 31, 2011 IP
  3. Berethend

    Berethend Active Member

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    #3
    I've been doing a bit more research and found that using a program to harvest emails is illegal? I'm not sure whether that only applies to gathering email addresses that are meant to be hidden, or if that also applies to gathering email addresses that are publicly listed on the web?
     
    Berethend, Dec 31, 2011 IP
  4. cerontek

    cerontek Well-Known Member

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    #4
    I wouldn't see the "harvesting email" act as white hat.

    But If you see it like this => Many companies/sites have email addresses on their contact page. They do want people
    to contact them, so in that case I don't think it is illegal to send them the email if it is "related" to their agenda.
    However if you send them totally related email/offer (e.g. Casino, Drugs etc.) I would definitely see it as spam.
     
    cerontek, Dec 31, 2011 IP
  5. B r u z z y

    B r u z z y Greenhorn

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    #5
    Usually everybody call these actions as SPAM. Do you really think it could be legal?
     
    B r u z z y, Jan 3, 2012 IP
  6. yester123

    yester123 Peon

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    #6
    Email marketing is both legal as well as illegal

    It is legal when you use opt in method and it is illegal when you do not use opt in method
     
    yester123, Jan 4, 2012 IP
  7. attorney jaffe

    attorney jaffe Member

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    #7
    Under the Can-Spam Act using an email harvestor results in triple damages if you are prosecuted under the act.
     
    attorney jaffe, Jan 4, 2012 IP