A federal court decision Tuesday upholding the Federal Trade Commission"s Do Not Call list helps to clear the way for a do-not-e-mail list as well.
In a 3-0 ruling, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver rejected direct marketers" claims that their First Amendment rights were violated when the FTC and the Federal Communications Commission set up a registry for Americans who do not want commercial telephone solicitations. "Just as a consumer can avoid door-to-door peddlers by placing a "No Solicitation" sign in his or her front yard, the "do not call" registry lets consumers avoid unwanted sales pitches that invade the home via telephone," the court ruled in a 50-page decision. "The First Amendment does not prevent the government from giving consumers this option."