Junk fax farewell.

• Position: TRENDS & TRANSITIONS - Brief Article

Junk mail, fax-style, can get you in trouble. The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (47 U.S.C. [section] 227) gives citizens the right to sue to stop future faxes, to recover monetary damages up to $500 for each unwanted fax, or both. If the court finds that the sender willfully or knowingly violated the law, awards can be increased up to three times the amount of damages.

Not all faxes, however, are against the law. Only "unsolicited advertisements" violate federal law. And beginning in July, the only way advertisements can be sent by fax is if the receiver has given written permission. The current "opt-in" requirements allow junk faxes if an established business relationship is present.

Other federal rules include the requirement that messages sent to a fax machine be...