As of 1 October 2009, a general ban on spam applies in the Netherlands. It will be forbidden to send unsolicited electronic messages (e-mail, sms and fax) to companies. From that date opt-in rules not only apply to spam to individuals, but also to spam to companies.
The good news for advertisers: there are still some exceptions. A company that obtained an e-mail address when selling a product or service, is allowed to use this to inform the addressee about comparable products or services, even if no explicit consent was given at the time of the sales. Of course every fax or e-mail must always contain an opt-out possibility.
The Dutch telecoms watchdog OPTA announced that it will actively see on it that companies and organisations will follow these rules. Those who violate the ban on spam can be punished. They risk a (maximum) fine of EUR 450,000. Whoever receives an unsolicited e-mail, can complain on the website spamklacht.nl if he receives spam after all. Whoever wishes to keep receiving electronic messages, should state so explicitly, e.g. on the own website.
It coud be unvisaged that some senders will quickly arrange an electronic mailing before 1 October 2009, including an opt-in option. That is an easy and allowable way to obtain the necessary opt-in for future mailings. But beware: when drafting such an opt-in, it must be realised that the consent for mailings to commercial e-mail addresses must, in principle, be given both by the employee whose e-mail address is concerned, and by the company that provided such address to its employee. It needs to be seen in practice whether this unpracticle rule will be forcefully applied.
Maud van der Leeuw
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office Emerald House Jozef Israëlskade 48-G Amsterdam, the Netherlands t +31 (0)20 - 305 3066 www.hoogenhaak.nl |
post PO Box 76780 1070 KB Amsterdam e info@hoogenhaak.nl f +31 (0)20 - 305 3069 chamber of commerce 34314579 |
As of 1 October 2009, a general ban on spam applies in the Netherlands. It will be forbidden to send unsolicited electronic messages (e-mail, sms and fax) to companies. From that date opt-in rules not only apply to spam to individuals, but also to spam to companies.
The good news for advertisers: there are still some exceptions. A company that obtained an e-mail address when selling a product or service, is allowed to use this to inform the addressee about comparable products or services, even if no explicit consent was given at the time of the sales. Of course every fax or e-mail must always contain an opt-out possibility.
The Dutch telecoms watchdog OPTA announced that it will actively see on it that companies and organisations will follow these rules. Those who violate the ban on spam can be punished. They risk a (maximum) fine of EUR 450,000. Whoever receives an unsolicited e-mail, can complain on the website spamklacht.nl if he receives spam after all. Whoever wishes to keep receiving electronic messages, should state so explicitly, e.g. on the own website.
It coud be unvisaged that some senders will quickly arrange an electronic mailing before 1 October 2009, including an opt-in option. That is an easy and allowable way to obtain the necessary opt-in for future mailings. But beware: when drafting such an opt-in, it must be realised that the consent for mailings to commercial e-mail addresses must, in principle, be given both by the employee whose e-mail address is concerned, and by the company that provided such address to its employee. It needs to be seen in practice whether this unpracticle rule will be forcefully applied.
Maud van der Leeuw