15 USC 7704 - Other protections for users of commercial electronic mail

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 7704.

Other protections for users of commercial electronic mail

(a)

Requirements for transmission of messages

(1)

Prohibition of false or misleading transmission information

It is unlawful for any person to initiate the transmission, to a protected computer, of a commercial electronic mail message, or a transactional or relationship message, that contains, or is accompanied by, header information that is materially false or materially misleading. For purposes of this paragraph—

(A)

header information that is technically accurate but includes an originating electronic mail address, domain name, or Internet Protocol address the access to which for purposes of initiating the message was obtained by means of false or fraudulent pretenses or representations shall be considered materially misleading;

(B)

a “from” line (the line identifying or purporting to identify a person initiating the message) that accurately identifies any person who initiated the message shall not be considered materially false or materially misleading; and

(C)

header information shall be considered materially misleading if it fails to identify accurately a protected computer used to initiate the message because the person initiating the message knowingly uses another protected computer to relay or retransmit the message for purposes of disguising its origin.

(2)

Prohibition of deceptive subject headings

(3)

Inclusion of return address or comparable mechanism in commercial electronic mail

(A)

In general

It is unlawful for any person to initiate the transmission to a protected computer of a commercial electronic mail message that does not contain a functioning return electronic mail address or other Internet-based mechanism, clearly and conspicuously displayed, that—

(i)

a recipient may use to submit, in a manner specified in the message, a reply electronic mail message or other form of Internet-based communication requesting not to receive future commercial electronic mail messages from that sender at the electronic mail address where the message was received; and

(ii)

remains capable of receiving such messages or communications for no less than 30 days after the transmission of the original message.

(B)

More detailed options possible

(C)

Temporary inability to receive messages or process requests

(4)

Prohibition of transmission of commercial electronic mail after objection

(A)

In general

If a recipient makes a request using a mechanism provided pursuant to paragraph (3) not to receive some or any commercial electronic mail messages from such sender, then it is unlawful—

(i)

for the sender to initiate the transmission to the recipient, more than 10 business days after the receipt of such request, of a commercial electronic mail message that falls within the scope of the request;

(ii)

for any person acting on behalf of the sender to initiate the transmission to the recipient, more than 10 business days after the receipt of such request, of a commercial electronic mail message with actual knowledge, or knowledge fairly implied on the basis of objective circumstances, that such message falls within the scope of the request;

(iii)

for any person acting on behalf of the sender to assist in initiating the transmission to the recipient, through the provision or selection of addresses to which the message will be sent, of a commercial electronic mail message with actual knowledge, or knowledge fairly implied on the basis of objective circumstances, that such message would violate clause (i) or (ii); or

(iv)

for the sender, or any other person who knows that the recipient has made such a request, to sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise transfer or release the electronic mail address of the recipient (including through any transaction or other transfer involving mailing lists bearing the electronic mail address of the recipient) for any purpose other than compliance with this chapter or other provision of law.

(B)

Subsequent affirmative consent

(5)

Inclusion of identifier, opt-out, and physical address in commercial electronic mail

(A)

It is unlawful for any person to initiate the transmission of any commercial electronic mail message to a protected computer unless the message provides—

(i)

clear and conspicuous identification that the message is an advertisement or solicitation;

(ii)

clear and conspicuous notice of the opportunity under paragraph (3) to decline to receive further commercial electronic mail messages from the sender; and

(iii)

a valid physical postal address of the sender.

(B)

Subparagraph (A)(i) does not apply to the transmission of a commercial electronic mail message if the recipient has given prior affirmative consent to receipt of the message.

(6)

Materially

(b)

Aggravated violations relating to commercial electronic mail

(1)

Address harvesting and dictionary attacks

(A)

In general

It is unlawful for any person to initiate the transmission, to a protected computer, of a commercial electronic mail message that is unlawful under subsection (a), or to assist in the origination of such message through the provision or selection of addresses to which the message will be transmitted, if such person had actual knowledge, or knowledge fairly implied on the basis of objective circumstances, that—

(i)

the electronic mail address of the recipient was obtained using an automated means from an Internet website or proprietary online service operated by another person, and such website or online service included, at the time the address was obtained, a notice stating that the operator of such website or online service will not give, sell, or otherwise transfer addresses maintained by such website or online service to any other party for the purposes of initiating, or enabling others to initiate, electronic mail messages; or

(ii)

the electronic mail address of the recipient was obtained using an automated means that generates possible electronic mail addresses by combining names, letters, or numbers into numerous permutations.

(B)

Disclaimer

(2)

Automated creation of multiple electronic mail accounts

(3)

Relay or retransmission through unauthorized access

(c)

Supplementary rulemaking authority

The Commission shall by regulation, pursuant to section 7711 of this title—

(1)

modify the 10-business-day period under subsection (a)(4)(A) or subsection (a)(4)(B), or both, if the Commission determines that a different period would be more reasonable after taking into account—

(A)

the purposes of subsection (a);

(B)

the interests of recipients of commercial electronic mail; and

(C)

the burdens imposed on senders of lawful commercial electronic mail; and

(2)

specify additional activities or practices to which subsection (b) applies if the Commission determines that those activities or practices are contributing substantially to the proliferation of commercial electronic mail messages that are unlawful under subsection (a).

(d)

Requirement to place warning labels on commercial electronic mail containing sexually oriented material

(1)

In general

No person may initiate in or affecting interstate commerce the transmission, to a protected computer, of any commercial electronic mail message that includes sexually oriented material and—

(A)

fail to include in subject heading for the electronic mail message the marks or notices prescribed by the Commission under this subsection; or

(B)

fail to provide that the matter in the message that is initially viewable to the recipient, when the message is opened by any recipient and absent any further actions by the recipient, includes only—

(i)

to the extent required or authorized pursuant to paragraph (2), any such marks or notices;

(ii)

the information required to be included in the message pursuant to subsection (a)(5); and

(iii)

instructions on how to access, or a mechanism to access, the sexually oriented material.

(2)

Prior affirmative consent

(3)

Prescription of marks and notices

(4)

Definition

(5)

Penalty

(Pub. L. 108–187, § 5, Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2706.)

cite as: 15 USC 7704