Smith Bill to Temper 'Junk Fax' Ban Advances
UC Alert -- July 28, 2004. Copyright 2004 by Davidson Consulting. peter@davidsonconsulting.biz 208 W. Chicago Rd, Sturgis, MI 49091. 269-651-3157. Fax: 206-350-2882.
Smith Bill to Temper 'Junk Fax' Ban Advances
The Senate Commerce Committee passed legislationThursday to ensure that businesses and associationswill continue to be able to send facsimiles toindividuals with whom they have an existing business relationship without requiring written consent. The Junk Fax Prevention Act was sponsored by Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.
“This bill will help businesses by allowing them tocontinue to send faxes to their customers in a mannerthat has proven successful and fair for bothbusinesses and consumers,” said Smith.
Last year, the FCC reconsidered its Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) rules and issued a rule eliminating the ability of businesses to contact their customers, even where there exists an established business relationship.
The effect of the FCC’s rule would be to prevent abusiness from sending a fax solicitation to anyperson, whether it is a supplier or customer, withoutfirst obtaining prior written consent, imposingsignificant costs on businesses. The commission stayedthe implementation of the rule until Jan. 1, 2005.
“This bipartisan legislation strikes an appropriatebalance by providing protection to consumers fromunwanted faxes while preserving the many benefits thatcan result from legitimate fax communications,” saidSmith.
Smith’s legislation would ensure that the 1992 FCCorder permitting businesses and associations to send unsolicited facsimile advertisements where there exists an established business relationship will remain law. It would also provide consumers with additional protections, including giving recipients the opportunity to opt out of faxes, even if they have an established business relationship.
Smith is working for immediate consideration of thebill by the full Senate.
For more information on software that will help comply with the TCPA rules, see http://www.snapsflow.com
Smith Bill to Temper 'Junk Fax' Ban Advances
The Senate Commerce Committee passed legislationThursday to ensure that businesses and associationswill continue to be able to send facsimiles toindividuals with whom they have an existing business relationship without requiring written consent. The Junk Fax Prevention Act was sponsored by Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.
“This bill will help businesses by allowing them tocontinue to send faxes to their customers in a mannerthat has proven successful and fair for bothbusinesses and consumers,” said Smith.
Last year, the FCC reconsidered its Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) rules and issued a rule eliminating the ability of businesses to contact their customers, even where there exists an established business relationship.
The effect of the FCC’s rule would be to prevent abusiness from sending a fax solicitation to anyperson, whether it is a supplier or customer, withoutfirst obtaining prior written consent, imposingsignificant costs on businesses. The commission stayedthe implementation of the rule until Jan. 1, 2005.
“This bipartisan legislation strikes an appropriatebalance by providing protection to consumers fromunwanted faxes while preserving the many benefits thatcan result from legitimate fax communications,” saidSmith.
Smith’s legislation would ensure that the 1992 FCCorder permitting businesses and associations to send unsolicited facsimile advertisements where there exists an established business relationship will remain law. It would also provide consumers with additional protections, including giving recipients the opportunity to opt out of faxes, even if they have an established business relationship.
Smith is working for immediate consideration of thebill by the full Senate.
For more information on software that will help comply with the TCPA rules, see http://www.snapsflow.com
posted by P at
4:39 PM
