Preamble: This page was produced to clearly define our policies on InterMLS, locally, state wide and nationally. The intention is to define to both the public and our real state community the procedure and guidelines associated in e-mail communication. This policy was formulated with regard to all known state and federal laws concerning this subject. We have developed categories with specific rules to further conform with existing laws and ethics. Both future state and federal laws will supercede this policy.

Public E-mail: As a rule no unsolicited e-mail will be sent to the public by InterMLS or any of their independent contractors. We may purchase opt-in lists or use direct communication established to prospective clients that freely express information on InterMLS services.

Recruiting E-mails: Recruiting people in the industry is not considered unsolicited* e-mails see the definition of Spam Laws pertaining to your state. The act of communicating with agents to provide them with information about our industry is not regulated by law. On the other hand it has ethical consideration that must be controlled. InterMLS will provide a remove list for all recruiting material effective . When an agent decides to opt-out of further recruiting material InterMLS will place them on a remove list and try to the best of their ability to keep no further communication with the agent. The e-mail address itself is the only record kept so if an agent changes their e-mail address they may receive a new recruiting e-mail to the new address. In this case they must simply send a new remove request from that new e-mail address.

General Communication: The purpose of this policy is to ensure the proper use of [Company]’s email system. All messages distributed via the company’s email system, even personal emails, are [Company]’s property. You must have no expectation of privacy in anything that you create, store, send or receive on the company’s email system. Your emails can be monitored without prior notification if [Company] deems this necessary. If there is evidence that you are not adhering to the guidelines set out in this policy, the company reserves the right to take disciplinary action, including termination and/or legal action. If you have any questions or comments about this Email Policy, please contact your supervisor.

It is strictly prohibited to:

• Send or forward emails containing libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks. If you receive an email of this nature, you must promptly notify your supervisor.
• Forward a message or copy a message or attachment belonging to another user without acquiring permission from the originator first.
• Send unsolicited email messages or chain mail.
• Forge or attempt to forge email messages, or disguise or attempt to disguise your identity when sending mail.

Duty of care

Users must take the same care in drafting an email as they would for any other communication. Confidential information should not be sent via email.

Personal usage

Although the company’s email system is meant for business use, [Company] allows personal usage if it is reasonable and does not interfere with work.

Disclaimer

The following disclaimer will be added to each outgoing email: ‘This message is intended only for [recipient name or email address]. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.’

Declaration

I have read, and agree to comply with, the guidelines set out in this policy and understand that failure to do so might result in disciplinary or legal action.

News Letters

The news letters developed for both (non –InterMLS) real estate agents and their clients will be strictly opt-in/opt-out.

*"Unsolicited electronic mail advertisement" means any electronic mail advertisement that (i) is addressed to a recipient with whom the initiator does not have a prior or existing business or personal relationship and (ii) is not sent at the request of or with the express consent of the