4931.75 Transmitting advertising by facsimile device. - Ohio Statutes

4931.75 Transmitting advertising by facsimile device.

(A) As used in this section:

(1) “Advertisement” means a message or material intended to cause the sale of realty, goods, or services.

(2) “Facsimile device” means a device that electronically or telephonically receives and copies onto paper reasonable reproductions or facsimiles of documents and photographs through connection with a telephone network.

(3) “Pre-existing business relationship” does not include transmitting an advertisement to the owner’s or lessee’s facsimile device.

(B)(1) No person shall transmit an advertisement to a facsimile device unless the person has received prior permission from the owner or, if the device is leased, from the lessee of the device to which the message is to be sent to transmit the advertisement; or the person has a pre-existing business relationship with such owner or lessee. Division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to a person who transmits an advertisement to a facsimile device located on residential premises.

(2) No person shall transmit an advertisement to a facsimile device located on residential premises unless the person has received prior written permission from the owner or, if the device is leased, from the lessee of the device to which the message is to be sent to transmit the advertisement. In addition to any other penalties or remedies, a recipient of an advertisement transmitted in violation of division (B)(2) of this section may bring a civil action against the person who transmitted that advertisement or caused it to be transmitted. In that action, the recipient may recover one thousand dollars for each violation.

(C) When requested by the owner or lessee, the transmission shall occur between seven p.m. and five a.m. This section applies to all such advertisements intended to be so transmitted within this state.

Effective Date: 05-06-2005