[monica]

It is so fun to find coupons and share them with one another. However, there are some legal issues that AFC must work around in order to continue to bring you great deals. One of those issues is to actively prevent the distribution of fraudulent coupons either knowingly or unknowingly.

Because of these legal issues and because we want to protect AFC and our members, we have to put an end to the sharing of coupons on AFC through private messaging and email. Effective immediately, all threads that offer to share a coupon via a private message or email will be removed for your protection.

Thanks for understanding.

AFC Admin Team

[joshmamabear]

thanks for protecting everyone.

its better to be on the safe side than get a subpoena later.

[rntg83]

You might want to "sticky" this for future reference.

[katjim00]

Always looking out for the best for everyone and of course AFC

[staviles]

Great idea!! I remember "wondering" about some of those coupons people were so willing to share!! Thanks for looking out for us all the time!!

[AngieP]

bumping this

[doubledee4]

Thank you, It is nice to feel safe not sorry!

[schatz]

thanks!!

[pamb]

Thanks!

[michele767]

I'm sorry to be so daft, but this is confusing. Does this mean no more trading? or does it mean that URL's are no longer shared? Could someone please explain this to me? LOL I'm getting a headache trying to decipher this. Thanks in advance.

Michele

[JavaMomma]

I would rather lose one deal and be safe, than lose the entire board due to some wrong activity. Thank you.

[creekprinces]

Originally Posted by JavaMomma

I would rather lose one deal and be safe, than lose the entire board due to some wrong activity. Thank you.

Ditto, Im with JavaMomma on this one! Thanks for making a safe and legal sharing board!

[lhart24]

This is important... I hope everyone reads it

[ohscrapchic]

Yes, better safe than sorry. I don't know what I'd do without this site now, I'm addicted to saving lots of money thanks to AFC!!!!

[michele767]

LOL but what does it mean?? Can someone please clarify? Thanks a lot!!

[wkfrank29]

Originally Posted by michele767

I'm sorry to be so daft, but this is confusing. Does this mean no more trading? or does it mean that URL's are no longer shared? Could someone please explain this to me? LOL I'm getting a headache trying to decipher this. Thanks in advance.

Michele

I think this is for the coupons that haven't been approved by the site, that are printable, and people have been sharing via email. I don't think this has anything to do with trading legit coupons.

Thanks for doing this, I would much rather be safe than sorry!!!

[michele767]

Thank you for clarifying this for me. I think I understand now that it's about coupons that are printable that aren't approved by AFC, gottcha!! whew, I feel better now! LOL

Originally Posted by wkfrank29

I think this is for the coupons that haven't been approved by the site, that are printable, and people have been sharing via email. I don't think this has anything to do with trading legit coupons.

Thanks for doing this, I would much rather be safe than sorry!!!

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by michele767

LOL but what does it mean?? Can someone please clarify? Thanks a lot!!

very good question and I think everyone should be informed so they know what they're getting into.

CVS has declared that they have copyrights to their emailed coupons. Thus, emails with CVS coupons they send to certain individuals are meant for the person alone and not meant to be shared with everyone, especially on the 'net. CVS has already warned other sites about this, [most sites have complied and they are now strict about discussing these emailed coupons] posting info saying they are sharing the emails via PMs and other means might want to re-consider lest they find themselves in a legal bind.

to be forwarned, is to be forarmed. let's protect each other.

[rach]

Thanks for clearing this up!

[CookieMom50]

I'm really new here and want to play by the rules ---

are you all saying that it's ok to email a .pdf of a coupon that appeared in a newspaper, which anyone could have purchased, but may not have had the oppportunity to do so, or could even have subscribed to the online edition of.......
but not ok to share a copy of a coupon that was emailed to a specific person?

Is that the intent of the new rules? Just want to get it right! thanks

[katybear826]

Originally Posted by CookieMom50

I'm really new here and want to play by the rules ---

are you all saying that it's ok to email a .pdf of a coupon that appeared in a newspaper, which anyone could have purchased, but may not have had the oppportunity to do so, or could even have subscribed to the online edition of.......
but not ok to share a copy of a coupon that was emailed to a specific person?

Is that the intent of the new rules? Just want to get it right! thanks

I was wondering this same thing... If something was public domain, can it be shared??

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by CookieMom50

I'm really new here and want to play by the rules ---

are you all saying that it's ok to email a .pdf of a coupon that appeared in a newspaper, which anyone could have purchased, but may not have had the oppportunity to do so, or could even have subscribed to the online edition of.......
but not ok to share a copy of a coupon that was emailed to a specific person?

Is that the intent of the new rules? Just want to get it right! thanks

I'm just confused , if its a pdf coupon that is published in a newspaper, don't you have to scan/copy the coupon to share it? I have seen some enterprising individuals make copies and sell them on ebay. with the latter, I think that is altering the coupon and that is fraud.

regarding coupons on pdf files that are in company websites, I think those are meant to be shared since anyone can just google and find them. but then, once the mfr takes them down, I am not sure if its okay to share them over the net in pdf files knowing the company no longer wants them in circulation. I will be on the safe side on this issue and not print if it has been taken down from the site.

[ccnt80]

Originally Posted by joshmamabear

I'm just confused , if its a pdf coupon that is published in a newspaper, don't you have to scan/copy the coupon to share?

Some papers such as the Washington Post have an online edition and that is where some of the CVS coupons have been found. The coupons are not being copied or scanned. The online location of what paper, page, etc was what was being shared.

But I agree, better to be safe than sorry!

[CarolynC]

Originally Posted by CookieMom50

I'm really new here and want to play by the rules ---

are you all saying that it's ok to email a .pdf of a coupon that appeared in a newspaper, which anyone could have purchased, but may not have had the oppportunity to do so, or could even have subscribed to the online edition of.......
but not ok to share a copy of a coupon that was emailed to a specific person?

Is that the intent of the new rules? Just want to get it right! thanks

Originally Posted by katybear826

I was wondering this same thing... If something was public domain, can it be shared??

Originally Posted by joshmamabear

I'm just confused , if its a pdf coupon that is published in a newspaper, don't you have to scan/copy the coupon to share it? I have seen some enterprising individuals make copies and sell them on ebay. with the latter, I think that is altering the coupon and that is fraud.

regarding coupons on pdf files that are in company websites, I think those are meant to be shared since anyone can just google and find them. but then, once the mfr takes them down, I am not sure if its okay to share them over the net in pdf files knowing the company no longer wants them in circulation. I will be on the safe side on this issue and not print if it has been taken down from the site.

I also think what Monica is saying is that you can no longer post on AFC that you have it and just "PM me your addy." The very possibility of all the legal issues is unreal. Jmb, that is correct, if it is on a company's website, it can and will be posted here, it just has to be submitted and checked out before it can be posted to make sure it is legit. When it is taken off the website, then it comes off here. AFC is becoming quite large and there are so many people coming on, registering just to get an emailed coupon that it is just too risky and we choose to protect the AFC family and not to put anyone at risk.

[brownyz3]

thanks!