Consent / permission email

[WinningSolutions]

Hi Guys,

I am struggling to write a consent / permission email template.
This email will be sent out to client after we cold call them and verbally asking for their consent/permission to use all information from their website.
Basically all I want to mention in the email is "you have granted us a permission to collect, store, use information (text and images) from your website with no obligation, and if you dont agree, please reply this email"

I am not sure how to put them together and make a nice formal consent / permission email template

Is there anyone out there able to help me?
Or maybe provide this service? - please PM me

Thanks in advance

[MMiad]

With respect, without knowing what previous legal agreements would have already been arranged prior to this consent-email being sent to a client, the concept appears highly flawed from a legal standpoint.

Aside from the fact that a client not replying to your email cannot be said to be a formal notice of permission (lawyers would have a field day with you on that one!), your clients are not necessarily the owners of their own site content, especially in cases where stock images and corporate graphics are concerned, and may not hold the authority to give permission on behalf of the relevant third party. And the really hairy thing about that, is that many clients don't realise they don't have that authority!

So even if they give you permission, it's likely to be a case of the blind leading the blind into a legal minefield.

Aside from anything else, if I received an email along those lines, I'd presume it to be dubious.

I can't assume to be totally up-to-date with intellectual property laws, but as far as I know, there is still no viable substitute for a signed, printed contract.

[Pross]

You don't need a signed, printed contract to have someone's permission to email them...

[KarenC]

Sorry, but this is not a good idea.

Quote: This email will be sent out to client after we cold call them and verbally asking for their consent/permission to use all information from their website.
Basically all I want to mention in the email is "you have granted us a permission to collect, store, use information (text and images) from your website with no obligation, and if you dont agree, please reply this email"

Most people would regard this as spam.

Also, no-one would give permission to use ALL information from their website. They most likely do not own all the copy and images, like Mmiad has mentioned. Or the person who receives the email may have no legal authority at all.

It would be better to ask them to provide an article that would be placed with acknowledgement and a link to them, for free on your website.

.

[ProspectsUnlimited]

Hi,

Firstly, let's cover off "consent". There are two types of consent, implied and express. Implied would be something like when someone fills out a survey form with their email and mobile number on it, that in doing so, they have implied their consent to be contacted via those channels. Express consent, is an extension of implied, whereby you seek there consent (through a check box usually) to communicate to them and or pass on their details to respected third parties.

As already stated, the content on someones site, may not be their own. Also, you can't "imply" someones consent just because they didn't respond to your email.

You may want to rethink your approach, and try and obtain the information you want in a different way/method. This will probably result in a longer acquisition process, but it should then ulitmately mean that what you have is all above board and you haven't offended anyone during the process.

[Khalid Adam]

it would help if you give us some more info on what you do and your intention with this campaign.

[DavidM]

I think you need to checkout the SPAM act.

Also, realise that even if you may be operating within the confines of the law - you may be damaging the trust and reputation of your business, which is your most important asset for ongoing business.