Restrictions on Internet spam effective Jan. 1: Hoping to slow the rush of unsolicited e-mail crowding Californians' in-boxes, Gov. Davis on Tuesday signed anti-spam legislation allowing customers to sue spammers and those who benefit from the messages.
The new measure, taking effect Jan. 1, will allow customers, Internet service providers and the state attorney general to take action against companies that produce and send spam, as well as businesses that hawk their products and services in unsolicited messages. The law allows offenders to be penalized up to $1 million for each incident.
Senate Bill 186 creates an "ask first" requirement for commercial e-mail messages, but will allow companies to send messages to people with whom they have an existing business relationship. Political e-mail also will be allowed.
