Legal Definitions - Oregon

Oregon's Anti-Solicitation Laws refer to a set of statutes within the Oregon Revised Statutes that regulate unsolicited commercial communications made via telephone (telemarketing) and fax.

These laws are designed to protect Oregon residents and businesses from unwanted intrusions and deceptive practices by setting clear rules for companies engaging in telemarketing and those sending unsolicited advertisements by fax. Key provisions often include requirements for telemarketers to identify themselves, restrictions on calling hours, the establishment and enforcement of "do not call" lists, and prohibitions against sending unsolicited commercial faxes.

• Example 1: Unwanted Telemarketing Calls

  A retired teacher in Portland, Ms. Chen, has registered her home phone number on the Oregon "Do Not Call" list. Despite this, she continues to receive daily calls from a company attempting to sell her extended car warranties, even though she doesn't own a car. Under Oregon's telephonic anti-solicitation laws, this company may be in violation because they are calling a number registered on the state's "Do Not Call" list, which is intended to protect consumers like Ms. Chen from unwanted solicitations.

• Example 2: Business Telemarketing Practices

  A new call center opens in Bend, Oregon, to market financial planning services. To comply with Oregon law, the company must ensure its telemarketers clearly state their name and the company's name at the beginning of each call, refrain from making calls before 8:00 AM or after 8:00 PM local time, and diligently check their call lists against the state's "Do Not Call" registry. This demonstrates how Oregon's statutes dictate the operational conduct for businesses engaged in telemarketing within the state, ensuring they adhere to consumer protection standards.

• Example 3: Unsolicited Fax Advertisements

  A small graphic design studio in Eugene, Oregon, receives an unsolicited fax advertisement for discounted printer toner cartridges. The studio had no prior business relationship with the sender and did not consent to receive such faxes. This situation falls under Oregon's fax anti-solicitation laws, which generally prohibit the transmission of unsolicited commercial advertisements to fax machines, protecting businesses from receiving unwanted promotional materials that consume their paper and toner.