CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, which lets firms seize spammers' assets.

ECONOMIST: Unwanted e-mails are no longer the menace they once were

In 2003, Congress solved the problem of spam email with the CAN-SPAM Act, which authorized Federal Trade Commission lawsuits against chronic spammers.

FORBES: At CES, the only Law that Matters is Moore's Law

Following the introduction of America's anti-spam CAN-SPAM Act in January 2004, junk e-mailing fell briefly but then shot up again (see chart).

ECONOMIST: Opening Pandora’s inbox | The

Just 44% of marketers surveyed believe their organizations were in compliance with the CAN-SPAM act, a law that requires marketers to request permission to send email messages, disclose the messages' source and offer an opt-out function.

FORBES: What Privacy Policy?