WELLINGTON, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand launched
anti-spam legislation Wednesday to join the international efforts to combat
unsolicited electronic messages, mainly email.
The Parliament passed the Unsolicited Electronic
Messages Act 2007 to enable the fight against New Zealand-sourced spam.
The legislation takes effect following a six-month
transition period to allow organizations to get their email practices and
database systems in order, said Communications Minister David Cunliffe.
"The Act alone will not solve the issue of spam.
However, from today enforcement agencies are now in a position to bring spammers
to task for their illegitimate activities," said Cunliffe.
The Department of Internal Affairs has established a
unit to enforce the new law and is running nationwide seminars to prepare
businesses for the law change and encourage good electronic marketing practice.
The seminars have shown there is widespread support
for the newlaw because the e-marketing industry as well as individuals wants
spam stopped, said Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker.
The Anti-Spam Compliance Unit will investigate
complaints and act against spammers in New Zealand who are deliberately flouting
the law. It will also promote education and awareness of spam, encourage
voluntary compliance, liaise with industry, monitor emerging technologies and
work with international agencies.
Penalties for breaching the law range from formal
warnings to infringement notices and court actions with a maximum fine for
500,000 NZ dollars (400,000 U.S. dollars) for an organization and 200,000 NZ
dollars (160,000 U.S. dollars) for an individual.
A spammer could also be ordered to pay victims
compensation for loss suffered and/or damages based on profit gained from
sending the spam.
