Free Mail Spam System

A new era of "spam-free" e-mail began today when EnterTo.com unveiled its all-new "enterprise-ready" Version 2.0 e-mail system. "They can't spam you if they can't find you!," asserted David Sutidze, President of EnterTo.Com, in making the announcement. "Our pioneering and 'elusive' strategy to repel unwanted e-mail creates a new weapon - in fact it puts us at the point of the spear - in the battle against spam and junk."

Information Technology & Telecommunications

Kamran Rehman of Hextalls LLP discusses the regulations which govern unsolicited, or SPAM, communications and a recent case which provides practical guidance to those who are affected by or whose business is in producing or relies on unsolicited communications.

As we all know, SPAM is a constant problem. A recent study from Ferris Research1 predicts that the global cost of spam in 2007 will reach $100 billion compared to $50 billion in 2005. The study also found that some 75% of all email messages sent daily is SPAM.... .

Surrender

Some of the largest ISPs (and parts of the U.S. government) have given the e-mail marketing companies the right to direct access to customers' inboxes, for a fee. They are using Goodmail (see E-Mail Marketing System Pays ISPs, Eases Filtering), a system that pays an ISP a small monthly fee per mailbox (that fee adds up if you have millions of customers).

ISPs using Goodmail include AOL, Yahoo!, Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable's Road Runner ,and Verizon.

In addition, over 150 U.S. government agencies are using it, including the FBI, the CDC, and the Department of the Treasury.

Backlash
So far, concern has been muted (after some initial strong complaints about the relationship between AOL and Goodmail, the other ISPs joined and there was no further protest).