Someone using e-mails off my guestbook

[J.P]

Hi all,

I don't really have a problem with spam as I just delete it and move on.

However.... I have a personal web site with a guestbook on it, people go on leave comments and everyone is happy.

I've just found out that a site in competition with me has basically been on my site, copied all the e-mail address down then spammed the people with there own newletter.

I'm wondering if there is anything I can do/say/threaten this person with to remove all the poeple they added?

The competition does not bother me, the problem I have is half the people are family and friends and they aint going to be happy?

Any advice would be helpful.

JP

 

[DaveEMG]

Well, your visitors never opted in to their newsletter. Any emailer basically gets one free shot at anyone to request that they "opt-in" (especially if that person has never used any of the services that competitor provides).

The CAN SPAM act has a lot of teeth. Do some research and find out if he violates any of the guidelines, in which case you can issue a cease & desist. You probably don't even need a lawyer... Find a cease & desist online, change the names, and send it to him, notifying that if he fails to do so you'll get a lawyer next.

FTC - SPAM - Home Page

 

[J.P]

Thanks for the info. I've been having a look about and it seems to be a very grey area, there seems to be some laws that say the way they harvest the e-mails was illegal but thn other saying its ok (in a sense)... law was never my strong point though.

I have sent a e-mail off, friendly for now and if it does go any further then I'll have to look into it a bit more.

In the mean time I have to deal with family and friends asking me about it

 

[waz67]

If you have a guestbook on your site and it publicly displays the email addresses of people that leave messages, well, you should probably go back to internet 101.