Assembly Approves 2 Anti-’Spamming’ Bills

A pair of anti-”spamming” bills that take aim at the proliferation of unsolicited junk e-mail via the Internet has been approved in the Assembly. The Assembly voted 66 to 3 for AB 1629, which treats network servers and cables as private property, requiring spammers--those who send unsolicited commercial e-mail in bulk--to get the Internet provider’s permission before using the network. Violators could be sued for damages up to $50 per spam, or $15,000 per day. In addition, spammers who clone a company’s Internet domain name without permission could be charged with forgery and subjected to criminal penalties. The legislation was sponsored by Assemblyman Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar). The other bill, AB 1676, sponsored by Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey), would give consumers the opportunity to opt out of spam distribution lists by contacting the company via an 800 number. A company violating the consumer’s wishes would face a $250 fine. Bowen’s bill also protects Internet providers from liability if they merely carried the unsolicited e-mail. Bowen’s bill passed on a 57-13 vote.