A member's request to inspect records must be for a proper purpose reasonably related to his or her interests as a member of the association. (Civ. Code § 5230, Corp. Code § 8330, Corp. Code § 8333.) Associations can bring actions for injunctive relief and damages against persons who violate this section (Civ. Code § 5230):
(1) The association records, and any information from them, may not be sold, used for a commercial purpose, or used for any other purpose not reasonably related to a member's interest as a member. An association may bring an action against any person who violates this section for injunctive relief and for actual damages to the association caused by the violation.
(2) This section may not be construed to limit the right of an association to damages for misuse of information obtained from the association records pursuant to this section or to limit the right of an association to injunctive relief to stop the misuse of this information.
(3) An association shall be entitled to recover reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, in a successful action to enforce its rights under this section.
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