BAN JUNK FAXES, BOXER URGES PROPOSAL WOULD REQUIRE SENDER TO GET RECIPIENT'S ADVANCE APPROVAL.Byline: Lisa Friedman Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - Sen. Barbara Boxer Barbara Levy Boxer (born November 11, 1940) is an American politician and the current junior U.S. Senator from the State of California. A member of the Democratic Party, Boxer was first elected to the U.S. wants businesses to ask before they fax. Under an amendment Boxer said she plans to introduce to the proposed Junk Fax Junk faxes are a form of telemarketing where unsolicited advertisements are sent via fax transmission. Junk faxes are the faxed equivalent of spam or junk mail. Proponents of this advertising medium often use the terms broadcast fax or fax advertising Prevention Act, companies would have to obtain permission either orally or in writing before faxing to homes or other businesses. Her proposal, Boxer said last week, closes what she sees as a loophole An omission or Ambiguity in a legal document that allows the intent of the document to be evaded. Loopholes come into being through the passage of statutes, the enactment of regulations, the drafting of contracts or the decisions of courts. in the bill that allows any company with ``an existing business relationship'' to continue sending unsolicited faxes to a customer's machine. ``Just because you did business with a company to finance your mortgage doesn't mean they can fax you anytime they want. If you want them again, you'll call them,'' Boxer said. Jim Clarke, senior vice president for public policy at the American Society of Association Experts, said demanding permission would be costly and time-consuming to trade organizations and philanthropic groups. ``I think you could ask your own advertising company. If you have a need to send out faxes, getting prior permission ... is just an enormous task,'' he said. Clarke and leaders with other trade organizations are lobbying furiously to prevent the Jan. 1 implementation of new Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission (FCC), independent executive agency of the U.S. government established in 1934 to regulate interstate and foreign communications in the public interest. regulations requiring written consent from customers before they receive fax advertisements. Trade groups are asking the FCC (1) (Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC, www.fcc.gov) The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications including wire, cable, radio, TV and satellite. The FCC was created under the U.S. for a six-month delay before it imposes the new rules. They are counting on the proposed Junk Fax Prevention Act, sponsored by Sen. Gordon Smith
Gordon Harold Smith (born May 25, 1952) is Oregon's junior United States Senator, currently serving his second term. He is a member of the Republican Party. , R-Ore., to roll back many of what the groups feel are the most onerous on·er·ous adj. 1. Troublesome or oppressive; burdensome. See Synonyms at burdensome. 2. Law Entailing obligations that exceed advantages. FCC provisions. The bill passed the Senate Commerce Committee in September, and a similar version already has passed the House. Boxer said the bill's sponsors have not welcomed her proposed amendment. A spokesman for Smith did not return phone calls seeking comment. Lisa Friedman, (202) 662-8731 lisa.friedman(at)langnews.com |
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