New FCC rules aim at 'junk' faxes

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, April, 2006 | by Alan J. Heavens

Though e-mail now seems to be the preferred means of moving documents quickly, the Federal Communications Commission has adopted new rules intended to protect consumers from unsolicited "junk" faxes.

The rules, which will take effect in August, amend the facsimile-advertising provisions of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991. The FCC first proposed the changes in 2005, but there was a period of comment required before the final version could be written and published.

One thing that pleases the real estate industry about the new rules is that they permit faxes sent in the context of informal business relationships.

Say, for example, you contact a Realtor and ask for a list of houses for sale. Then, a month later, the Realtor sends you an updated...