] The consumer-marketer dynamic spawns a spectrum of
] antispam proposals. One general approach centers on the
] collective consumer desire to protect in-boxes by
] requiring prior consent, creating do-not-spam databases
] and allowing individuals to take spammers to court.
]
] Another approach emphasizes how marketing e-mail can be
] legitimate if it has options called opt-outs for
] consumers to remove themselves from mailing lists; postal
] or street addresses; and clear labeling. This approach
] also outlaws spamming techniques like using automated
] programs to harvest or generate e-mail addresses. The
] intent is to eliminate the bottom feeders (the generic
] Viagra and buy-a-diploma ads), while preserving the right
] for mainstream companies to market to consumers.

The first option is the Wrong Answer; abusive spam should be handled like any other kind of fraud.

Congress Finds Rare Unity in Spam, to a Point