On Wed, 2 Dec 1998, Russ Hunt wrote: > This isn't really relevant to the subject of owning lists, but I > wonder what the real status of that "bill" or "law" that the spammer > referred to is? Does such a thing actually exist, or is it just > another way of getting unsuspecting victims to take these swine > seriously and send them their addresses so they can send _more_ > garbage out? > A quick search at http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas2.html provides text of the bill: (I may be wrong but I believe "the Commision" is the FCC). Note that section 302 provides remedies. TITLE III--SPAMMING SEC. 301. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO TRANSMISSIONS OF UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL ELECTRONIC MAIL. (a) INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN TRANSMISSIONS- (1) IN GENERAL- A person who transmits an unsolicited commercial electronic mail message shall cause to appear in each such electronic mail message the information specified in paragraph (2). (2) COVERED INFORMATION- The following information shall appear at the beginning of the body of an unsolicited commercial electronic mail message under paragraph (1): (A) The name, physical address, electronic mail address, and telephone number of the person who initiates transmission of the message. (B) The name, physical address, electronic mail address, and telephone number of the person who created the content of the message, if different from the information under subparagraph (A). (C) A statement that further transmissions of unsolicited commercial electronic mail to the recipient by the person who initiates transmission of the message may be stopped at no cost to the recipient by sending a reply to the originating electronic mail address with the word `remove' in the subject line. (b) ROUTING INFORMATION- All Internet routing information contained within or accompanying an electronic mail message described in subsection (a) must be accurate, valid according to the prevailing standards for Internet protocols, and accurately reflect message routing. (c) EFFECTIVE DATE- The requirements in this section shall take effect 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 302. FEDERAL OVERSIGHT OF UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL ELECTRONIC MAIL. (a) TRANSMISSIONS- (1) IN GENERAL- Upon notice from a person of the person's receipt of electronic mail in violation of a provision of section 301 or 305, the Commission-- (A) may conduct an investigation to determine whether or not the electronic mail was transmitted in violation of such provision; and (B) if the Commission determines that the electronic mail was transmitted in violation of such provision, may-- (i) impose upon the person initiating the transmission a civil fine in an amount not to exceed $15,000; (ii) commence in a district court of the United States a civil action to recover a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $15,000 against the person initiating the transmission; (iii) commence an action in a district court of the United States a civil action to seek injunctive relief; or (iv) proceed under any combination of the authorities set forth in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii). (2) DEADLINE- The Commission may not take action under paragraph (1)(B) with respect to a transmission of electronic mail more than 2 years after the date of the transmission. (b) ADMINISTRATION- (1) NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC MEANS- The Commission shall establish an Internet web site with an electronic mail address for the receipt of notices under subsection (a). (2) INFORMATION ON ENFORCEMENT- The Commission shall make available through the Internet web site established under paragraph (1) information on the actions taken by the Commission under subsection (a)(1)(B). (3) ASSISTANCE OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES- Other Federal agencies may assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under this section.