Do-not-fax list tries to stop unwanted ads
Just the fax could cost advertisers big money under a new tougher state law which seeks to fine companies who send unwanted facsimiles.
Like the state’s better known do-not-call list which took aim at telemarketers, the do-not-fax law aims to help fax owners from putting up with unsolicited advertising, in this case, coming over their fax machines.
However, unlike the do-not-call list, which persons must register for to be protected from telemarketers, the new do-not-fax list requires no such registration. Instead, the law now requires businesses sending faxes advertising a product, property or services to have advance permission to send the fax. The document must also bear the sender’s name, business and fax number at the top of the page.
Persons receiving unwanted faxes may report them to the Tennessee Regulatory Authority which will then investigate the complaint. Those found in violation may be fined up to $2,000 per unwanted fax.
The do-not-fax list only limits faxes from businesses advertising a product, property or service and does not include every unsolicited fax. The law only pertains to fax machines which receive their signal over telephone lines. The list also does not cover e-mail spam, although some federal legislators are trying to draft a law which would also limit unsolicited Internet ads.
For more information about the do-not-fax list or the do-not-call list, or to report a complaint, go online to the TRA homepage at http://www.state.tn.us/tra and hit the appropriate links.