Comments:

Re: CAN-SPAM Act Rulemaking, Project No. R411008 To the Commissioners, I applaud your efforts to curb the problem of unsolicited bulk email. However, I am concerned about the proposed requirement for merchants to maintain suppression lists. There are so many problems and costs associated with this idea, and so much damage done to consumers and businesses alike, that I feel I must urge you to consider this matter most carefully. Requirement of the use of suppression lists will seriously damage many of the legitimate publications available on the net. My specific concern is for harm to publishers who require permission from the consumer prior to adding them to any list. They're not who CAN-SPAM was designed to put out of business, but this requirement will very likely have that effect. There's also the potential for significant harm to consumers, because of the problem of properly knowing their intent when they unsubscribe from a list. On top of that, these suppression lists could easily fall into the hands of spammers, leading to more spam instead of less. I was quite surprised at the potential problems this ruling could involve, and urge you in the strongest possible terms to reconsider its implementation in light of these problems, Ever since the new law came into effect I have received more spam, not less. The regulations you are proposing be put in place will just make regular, honest business people's lives a misery. The real spammers will carry on doing what they do and avoiding the law. While people like me, who run a small business newsletter , will be effected severely. It's time you people got your head around this problem. Chances are if this new legislation of yours goes through I will just stop providing my service (which has taken me years to build, I might add) simply because it's too much hassle. Please consider your actions thoroughly. Respectfully, Rory Mac Pembs, UK