is there a law for brochure distribution?

by mubb
12 replies
Hi guys,

I have been offered by a friend the distribution of 2000 leaflet in a specific area for free. I will print them and he will distribute them for free.

I have never tried leaflet or any other offline methods before.

My question: is it legal to just distribute leaflets to people homes in their mail box?

And if I am advertising for a product do I have to print 'terms and conditions' on the leaflet itself in order to be legal?

Thanks
Mubb
#brochure #distribution #law
  • Profile picture of the author David Miller
    In the US it is illegal to use a postal box for this type of distribution. I would only be guessing it may be the same in the UK.
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    • Profile picture of the author dmister
      I am not sure if it is illegal or not but I know I often receive a lot of unsolicited brochures/adverts (I live in the UK) so I think it is OK. However, it may be illegal to put them through people`s doors if they have a sign saying no spam/adverts!
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  • Originally Posted by mubb View Post

    Hi guys,

    I have been offered by a friend the distribution of 2000 leaflet in a specific area for free. I will print them and he will distribute them for free.

    I have never tried leaflet or any other offline methods before.

    My question: is it legal to just distribute leaflets to people homes in their mail box?

    And if I am advertising for a product do I have to print 'terms and conditions' on the leaflet itself in order to be legal?

    Thanks
    Mubb
    Just don't put them in people's mailboxes and you should be alright. And make sure you put the leaflets in a place where they don't get blown away. You don't want people accusing you of littering their neighborhood.
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  • Profile picture of the author mubb
    so all the pizza offers that I get in the post are illegal? just wondering...
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  • Profile picture of the author mubb
    yes I do get a lot of these brochures, but they may be breaking the law themselves.
    maybe I should ask a solicitor
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  • Profile picture of the author jomina
    Yep, in the US, it's illegal to put anything that hasn't been mailed in any of the boxes.

    Only people legally allowed to touch your box are your mailman and you lol

    For you UK folks, not sure of the ruling on it, but much better to be safe than sorry.

    I'd have em use a lil piece of clear tape to stick to their door
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    • Profile picture of the author rhinocl
      I have had dropoffs that were left wedged between the flag and the box (not what I had asked the people delivering to do) removed by postmen and received a nasty phone call from their supervisor. My reading of the US code says this is not illegal but the post office goes by their manual not the US code, so don't hang them anywhere on the box or post either (unless you are willing to fight them in court).
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      • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
        No, you're not allowed to touch anyone else's mailbox (in the U.S.) but no one is ever prosecuted for that here. I understand that government is a lot more oppressive in England, but I'd still be more concerned about the Law of Large Numbers and getting terms and conditions of the offer right.
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  • Profile picture of the author KabirC
    I know I read somewhere that if people drop your flyers everywhere you can get in trouble for littering, don't know how accurate this is so if anyone can confirm that would be great!
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    • Profile picture of the author c.t.coburn
      I'm receiving "door hangers" on a regular basis, maybe this a way around the post box AND littering?

      also find myself at least LOOKING at the offers (btw these are huge door hangers in four color.)

      printed on both sides you should certainly have more than enough space.
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  • Profile picture of the author GomerMagtibay
    Don't put them in mailboxes. Instead, find a place where staff of companies, like those pizza companies, distribute their flyers. Here in the Philippines, there's a section of the malls where staff of such companies are allowed to distribute their companies' flyers, legally. If you find such group, then join them and distribute yours.
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  • Profile picture of the author Creativegirl
    Verify with your friend his "distribution" method and it should clear this up.

    Sounds like door-to-door distribution which should be fine and if he does this for a business he should know the ins and outs.

    Everyone is correct about the mailbox, it has to go through the post office and is considered direct mail.
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