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 - and abandon this onerous requirement. 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, I am more than tired of receiving multiple unsolicited "offers" for payday advances, enlargement of my male sexual organ, breast enhancement, mortgage refinancing, pharmaceutical drugs, etc. ad nauseum. Deleting this garbage takes time away from reading the email I DO want to receive as well as conducting my own legitimate business. BUT- I in no way advocate regulations which will only add to the cost of doing business with persons who have elected to receive email from me or any other legitimate business person, while being summarily ignored and flouted by spammers. Respectfully, James Humphrey NC, USA