Pitney Bowes Hit with Lawsuit

Five motorists are taking a Pitney Bowes subsidiary to court for placing advertisements inside their automotive registration packets, the Associated Press reported.

The suit alleges that Imagitas, acquired by Pitney Bowes in 2005, used personal information provided by the Florida Division of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to “target and distribute advertising materials.” A lawyer for the plaintiffs claims that the use of motorists’ names and addresses for commercial use is a violation of the federal Driver’s Privacy and Protection Act, the AP reported.

The act was passed in 1989 after a stalker used motor vehicle records to hunt down and kill actress Rebecca Schaeffer.

Imagitas and the state’s motor vehicles division forged a deal that allows the printer to place advertising in registration renewal packs in exchange for free printing and mailing of the packets, the AP said, saving the state about $1 million. Imagitas claims its contract complies with state and federal privacy laws.