Comments:

Re: CAN-SPAM Act Rulemaking, Project No. R411008 To the Commissioners, Thank you for attempting to solve the problem of unsolicited bulk email. However, I am concerned about the proposed requirement for merchants to maintain suppression lists. I'm a newspaper columnist and when people can't read my columns, they want them sent to them in a newsletter. In my mailing, I mention how they can purchase my books on the same topic. I use a total double opt-in list and in three years have not had one complaint. When people opt-out, they are automatically removed on the spot. 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 like mine 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, Respectfully, Tom Blake California USA