Should SPAM be illegal?
On this topic, someone must be assigned to describe the current legislation
To internet users, "SPAM is the internet equivalent of junk mail and ... telemarketing calls."
"To the senders of junk e-mail, SPAM is simply bulk e-mail, usually some kind of advertisement and/or an invitation to try some service or product."
"SPAM may be unsoluicited religious, racial or secual messages as well. Such messages can be especially irritating. Generally, Internet users loathe spamming because spammers (those who send spam) use the shotgun approach, broadcasting their message to large numbers of people. Ineveitably, enough of these messages find a welcome audience, prompting spammers to send more."
"Those who receive e-mail consider their e-mail boxes a personal and costly resource. They feel that spam wastes their time, violates their electronic mailbox, and in some cases insults their integrity. "
"On the other hand, spammers cite free speech and the tradition of a free flow of inforation over the Internet as justification for broadcasting their message. SPAM renews the conflict between free speech and the individual's right to privacy."
spam laws: www.spamlaws.com/
government spam page: http://www.ftc.gov/spam/
anti-spam site: http://www.spamhaus.org/
spam as free speech: http://www.wm.edu/law/publications/jol/articles/geissler.shtml
efficacy of spam laws (a bit old): pc world article
spam as not being free speech: http://spam.abuse.net/faq/
jailed for spam: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4426949.stm
Items to consider:
What legislation against spamming already exists?
What legislation should exist?
What can an individual currently do to stop spam? (Asking their ISP to filter spam or buying a spam filter program are two possibilities)
How would you legally define spam and differentiate spam from legitimate marketing?
What are the costs associated with spam? Who pays those costs?
What is the place of marketing on the internet?
What are the benefits associated with spam, and who derives those benefits?
* credited to Larry and Nancy Long, Computers: Information Technology in Perspective, 11ed: Prentice Hall: NJ.