Amendment Beefs Up Anti-’Spam’ Bill

Internet service providers would be able to sue junk e-mailers for sending junk e-mail--or spam--to their members, according to an amendment to be added to a bill by Assemblyman Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar) on Monday. The amendment significantly changes the intent of the original bill, known as the Internet Consumer Protection Act, introduced by Miller in January. The new language would give teeth to contracts most ISPs have with users that require them to refrain from sending unsolicited e-mail. The bill would allow ISPs to sue junk e-mailers for up to $15,000 for each day a user received junk e-mail. The amended bill also would allow ISPs to sue anyone who used a third party’s Internet domain name without their knowledge to send junk e-mail. Miller and Assemblywoman Debra Bowen (D-Marina Del Rey), who has introduced a similar bill, will discuss the issue at the Internet World conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Thursday.