Comments:

Re: CAN-SPAM Act Rulemaking, Project No. R411008 To the Commissioners, I commend your efforts to curb the problem of unsolicited bulk e-mail as this subject matter affects so many businesses and consumers, as well as private individuals. However, I am concerned about the proposed requirement for merchants to maintain suppression lists. There are many problems and costs associated with this idea, and much damage can be 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 am also concerned about the implications this act will have on "forward-to-a-friend" e-mails. There are many people who send e-mails in good conscience but who have no control over e-mails sent later and the content of those e-mails, i.e., using the content of someone elses e-mail with a commercial advertisement, etc. I don't want to see this act bring fear to the general public in sending e-mails. I for one will be very cautious as to what I send and to whom I send it to in the future, but I don't want to be afraid to send an e-mail. 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, Ms. Baca California, United States