Comments:

Re: CAN-SPAM Act Rulemaking, Project No. R 411008 To the Commissioners: Frankly, I do not understand all the legalese in the survey that preceded this additional comments section. I understand that you are trying to eliminate the problem of unsolicited bulk e-mail. But the proposed requirement for merchants to keep suppression lists is very troubling. Suppression lists will create undesirable problems along with additional costs. Much damage will be done to businesses and consumers alike. Therefore I am requesting that you give this matter your utmost attention, carefully considering the adverse impact of maintaining suppression lists. Suppression lists will wreak havoc on nearly all legitimate publications available on the Internet. Requiring permission from consumers before adding them to any list will create problems relative to time, costs and decreased sales and profits for the online businessperson. Some could actually be forced out of business. Significant harm could be done to consumers, due to the problem of properly knowing their intentions when they decide to unsubscribe from a list. Too, suppression lists could be seized by spammers, thereby magnifying the already serious problem of spam. No doubt, this ruling could have a negative impact on both consumers and merchants. I strongly urge the Commission to seriously reconsider putting this ruling into effect, due to the problems its implementation will cause. Respectfully, Lewis S. Hathorn, Jr. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA