Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in South Carolina

Privacy Issue - Selling/Exchanging Mailing Lists

I have been delegated the task of compiling one large mailing list composed of 20 organizations in my city. Is it legal for the 20 organizations to give me their lists of names/mailing addresses and pay a nominal fee to receive the larger combined mailing list? Does is violate the privacy of the patrons who are members of the mailing lists? Would we need to notify our patrons about the sharing of their mailing information? Would it violate their rights if we then sold this list to organizations other than the original 20 organizations?


Asked on 3/28/02, 4:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sheldon G. Bardach Law Offices of Sheldon G. Bardach

Re: Privacy Issue - Selling/Exchanging Mailing Lists

Organizations generally are protective of their membership lists, both as a right of privacy and to protect their members rights of association. My guess is that you will not get the lists of members. Selling the lists, should you get them, would require willing buyers, and in that group you might find sensitivity to the issues of privacy and association. There may not be the number of buyers you anticipate.

Read more
Answered on 3/29/02, 10:16 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Civil Rights Law questions and answers in South Carolina