The Conch-L website clearly spells out the rules and exceptions about advertising:
http://museum.nhm.uga.edu/CONCH-L/CONCH-Lrules.html


Rule No. 1: NO Advertising:

Commercial Advertising is not allowed; not even by non-profit organizations. UGA, as a community service, "grants the use of its facilities to organizations whose activities contribute to its mission." CONCH-L is considered to be an "educational resource," and therefore falls within UGA's mission. However, UGA and the State of Georgia have strict rules that do not allow use of these resources for personal gain, thus no free advertising or commercial messages. In particular:

a.Offering to sell or recommending your own products or services is NOT allowed (this includes lists of shells, book catalogues, equipment and trips). CONCH-L is not to be used as an inexpensive substitute for commercial advertising. However, this list was set up to encourage discussions and therefore this rule can be bent a little (please remember the qualifier 'a little'.)

If you are responding to a request for information about your product please limit your reply to a brief answer and address (home, email or web) where the requester can find more information. If you wish to send a large document (image, article or catalog) please send it directly to the person who requested the information and not to the list.

b.Requesting information on, or recommending products or services or sources where they may be obtained IS allowed. One of the goals of this list is to help people make connections and learn more about Malacology and Conchology. People wishing to exchange shells and publications may announce that their trading lists are available, but should not post lists to CONCH-L.

c.Public-service announcements of new publications (books and journals), shell clubs, and web sites (including commercial websites) ARE allowed, as are posting of general information on shell shows and conventions. Of course this includes posting about an updated internet site or reprinted publication. Book reviews by non-interested individuals are encouraged as an educational resource. If the announcement concerns a commercial site please use discretion.

If you have doubt about whether your message is advertising or not, send it to the List Manager at [log in to unmask] who will look it over and let you know if it's postable.

Gary