Responding to Unsolicited Commercial Email
(UCE, "email spam")

Over the past year, there has been a decided upswing in unsolicited email, primarily of the commercial variety. Advertisers reputable and not-so-reputable have discovered that they can use telemarketing techniques without spending a dime for each call.

Fortunately, there are ways to attempt to stem the flood and express your displeasure. Be aware, however, that the "dedicated spammers" are growing ever more canny as they practice their trade.

Don't just reply to the message in your box! Chances are, you'll be sending mail to an invalid address or to an innocent party. http://www.panix.com/uce.html 

If your site receives an unsolicited broadcast email (UBE) send a complaint to the sending site asking them to stop all UBE to your site. EarthLink v. Cyber Promotions has set a clear US legal precedent that UBE after warning is a form of trespass (See Earthlink's `Zero Tolerance' policy against net abuse).

Several other US ISP's have obtained similar (though less comprehensive) judgments. In addition, the reverse also holds: if you receive a request to stop UBE from your site to their site and you haven't taken all reasonable steps (such as an enforced AUP). This could cause trouble.