Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: bill of entry
The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that helps stop unwanted emails. The law allows certain government groups and internet service providers to sue people who break the rules. Internet service providers can only sue if they are hurt by the bad emails. To be an internet service provider, you need to do more than just give people email accounts. You also need to have special equipment and software. Some people try to use the law to get money, but courts don't like that. They want people to show that they were really hurt by the bad emails.
The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that regulates commercial email messages. It allows certain government agencies and internet access service providers to sue those who violate the law.
The Federal Trade Commission, other federal agencies, and state attorneys general can sue under the CAN-SPAM Act. Internet access service providers can also sue if they are adversely affected by a violation of the law.
For example, if a company sends spam emails to a provider's customers, causing the provider to lose business or incur additional costs, the provider may have standing to sue under the CAN-SPAM Act.
However, not all providers will have standing to sue. In a court case, a plaintiff who provided email accounts to customers was found not to be an internet access service provider because they relied on a third party to host their services. The court also found that the plaintiff was not adversely affected by the spam emails in a way that was unique to internet service providers.
Overall, the CAN-SPAM Act allows certain entities to sue those who violate the law, but not all providers will have standing to bring a claim.