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Bush Signs Do-Not-Call Bill

Do Not Call • 'Do Not Call' List Entries Are Now Permanent • North Carolina Asks Candidates to Respect 'Do Not Call' List • Congress Makes 'Do Not Call' List Permanent • FTC Vows Not To Purge Numbers from Do Not Call List • 866 Calls Pushing Phony Health Insurance • FTC Sues Telemarketers for Do Not Call Violations • Telemarketers Must SendCaller ID Info • FCC Issues First Citation • AT&T Will Run DNC Database • AT&T Faces DNC Fine • DNC Registry Opens • Scam Artists Flock to DNC • Bush Signs DNC Bill

March 12, 2003
President Bush has signed legislation setting up a "Do Not Call" list to protect consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls.

Under the new law, the Federal Trade Commission will collect fees from telemarketers to pay the estimated $15 million cost of setting up and operating the registry during its first year. It's hoped the system will be in operation by this summer.

The call-blocking service will be free to consumers, who'll be able to sign up on the Internet or by calling a toll-free number. Telemarketers will be required to check the list every three months. Fines for calling those on the list could go as high as $11,000 for each violation.

There are a few exemptions. Charities, opinion pollsters and -- not surprisingly -- political candidates won't be governed by the list.

Telemarketers say the law will devastate their business. An industry group, the Direct Marketing Association, has already filed suit saying the law unlawfully restricts their members' free speech rights.

The measure had overwhelming support from consumers fed up with annoying and disruptive telemarketing calls.

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