Last year we almost got a SPAM law on books when House legislators approved their version of SPAM bill, H. R. 3113, "The Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail Act of 2000", with a vote of 427-1.

However, it never came close to becoming law because Senate never even voted on it.

This year, there are already several attempts being made to place SPAM under law.

The most recognized is known as bill HR 95, which is a re-introduction of H. R. 3113 from last year and is named: "To protect individuals, families, and Internet service providers from unsolicited and unwanted electronic mail." http:/ homas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:h.r.00095:

A SUMMARY AS OF: 1/3/2001--Introduced.

"Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail Act of 2001 - Amends Federal criminal code to provide criminal penalties for intentionally initiating transmission of any unsolicited commercial electronic mail message (message) to a protected computer in United States with knowledge that any domain name or other initiator identifying information contained in or accompanying such message is false or inaccurate.

Prohibits any person from sending such a message unless message contains a valid e-mail address, conspicuously displayed, to which a recipient may send notice of a desire not to receive further messages.

Makes it unlawful for a person to initiate transmission of such a message in violation of a policy regarding unsolicited commercial e-mail messages that complies with specified requirements, including requirements for notice and public availability of such policy and for an opportunity for subscribers to opt not receive such messages.

Directs Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to notify violators under this Act, to prohibit further initiation of such messages, and to require initiator to delete names and e-mail addresses of recipients and providers from all mailing lists.

Provides a right of action by a recipient or provider against e-mail initiators who violate above requirements. "

The sad part of this problem is there are so many marketers that sympathize with them. One well know marketer has even gone so far as to compare myself, and other marketers who feel this situation has gotten out of hand, to X-Files.

I really have to laugh at pot calling kettle black.

Here are two incidents from one day that will show how absurd this situation has become.

I received an email from one of my subscribers complaining they were unable to remove themselves from my list. I emailed them and let them know I would contact my list provider and do my best to have situation corrected as quickly as humanly possible.

I also asked them to please let me know if they received future mailings so I could find out why support hadn't corrected problem.

What was their response?

I received an email two days later. You are still sending me emails and if it keeps up I'll have to report you as a spammer.

Amazing! How understanding, how charitable.

Imagine rush it must give someone to be able to hold a sword over my head. Imagine their feeling of power.