Back in May, the FTC issued a modest set of clarified definitions and additional new CAN-SPAM rules.  Today, July 7th, 2008, those additional rules go in to effect.

If you’re a conscientious email marketer and already on the right side on the full body of federal CAN-SPAM rules, then there’s likely little more you’ll need to do.

However, if you’ve not been attentive to CAN-SPAM requirements, its time to tune in: recent court rulings have held senders of spam liable for large fines and imprisonment.  Besides, reputable marketers should routinely go beyond CAN-SPAM’s modest requirements.

Earlier, UsefulArts reported on the PRO-IP legislation passed in the House this past May that seeks to create an Intellectual Property czar as a direct report to the President. Corporate America is pushing for an IP Czar to coordinate among many federal agencies and departments, such as State Department, Justice Department and the Patent & Trademark Office.

Senator Leahy (D-VT) is crafting legislation that will likely include a call for an IP Czar, and Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN) and George Voinovich (R-OH) have introduced a bill that explicitly calls for a copyright czar. Not to be left out, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) is has a bill intended to address counterfeit goods using customs agents. Hatch estimates counterfeit goods cost the U.S. economy 750,000 jobs and $250 billion annually.
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