|
Complying with
the CAN-SPAM Act
CAN-SPAM requires
that all companies that send or otherwise
“initiate” commercial email:
- It
bans false or misleading header information.
Your email's "From," "To," and routing
information – including the originating domain
name and email address – must be accurate and
identify the person who initiated the email.
By providing true information you are fully
identifiable as the sender of the message.
Include in each message a valid return email
address or Internet-based reply mechanism that
will function for at least thirty (30) days
following the transmission of the message.
- It
prohibits deceptive subject lines.
The subject line cannot mislead the recipient
about the contents or subject matter of the
message.
- It
requires that your email give recipients an
opt-out method. You must provide a
return email address or another Internet-based
response mechanism that allows a recipient to
ask you not to send future email messages to
that email address, and you must honor the
requests. You may create a "menu" of choices
to allow a recipient to opt out of certain
types of messages, but you must include the
option to end any commercial messages from the
sender.
Any opt-out mechanism you offer must be able
to process opt-out requests for at least 30
days after you send your commercial email.
When you receive an opt-out request, the law
gives you 10 business days to stop sending
email to the requestor's email address. You
cannot help another entity send email to that
address, or have another entity send email on
your behalf to that address. Finally, it's
illegal for you to sell or transfer the email
addresses of people who choose not to receive
your email, even in the form of a mailing
list, unless you transfer the addresses so
another entity can comply with the law.
- It
requires that commercial email be identified
as an advertisement and include the sender's
valid physical postal address. Your
message must contain clear and conspicuous
notice that the message is an advertisement or
solicitation and that the recipient can opt
out of receiving more commercial email from
you. It also must include your valid physical
postal address.
Additional
Information:
FTC CAN-SPAM Act |