---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 7704"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "7704"
heading: "Other protections for users of commercial electronic mail"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/7704"
units:
  - "Chapter 103 — Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing"
---

# §7704. Other protections for users of commercial electronic mail

- (a) **Requirements for transmission of messages—**
  - (1) **Prohibition of false or misleading transmission information—** It is unlawful for any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) to [initiate](/usc/15/7702.md?p=9) the transmission, to a [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13), of a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A), or a [transactional or relationship message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=17-A), that contains, or is accompanied by, [header information](/usc/15/7702.md?p=8) that is materially false or materially misleading. For purposes of this paragraph—
    - (A) [header information](/usc/15/7702.md?p=8) that is technically accurate but includes an originating [electronic mail address](/usc/15/7702.md?p=5), [domain name](/usc/15/7702.md?p=4), or [Internet](/usc/15/7702.md?p=10) Protocol address the access to which for purposes of initiating the message was obtained by means of false or fraudulent pretenses or representations shall be considered materially misleading;
    - (B) a “from” line (the line identifying or purporting to identify a [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) initiating the message) that accurately identifies any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) who initiated the message shall not be considered materially false or materially misleading; and
    - (C) [header information](/usc/15/7702.md?p=8) shall be considered materially misleading if it fails to identify accurately a [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13) used to [initiate](/usc/15/7702.md?p=9) the message because the [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) initiating the message knowingly uses another [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13) to relay or retransmit the message for purposes of disguising its origin.
  - (2) **Prohibition of deceptive subject headings—** It is unlawful for any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) to [initiate](/usc/15/7702.md?p=9) the transmission to a [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13) of a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) if such [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) has actual knowledge, or knowledge fairly implied on the basis of objective circumstances, that a subject heading of the message would be likely to mislead a [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14), acting reasonably under the circumstances, about a material fact regarding the contents or subject matter of the message (consistent with the criteria used in enforcement of [section 45 of this title](/usc/15/45.md)).
  - (3) **Inclusion of return address or comparable mechanism in commercial electronic mail—**
    - (A) **In general—** It is unlawful for any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) to [initiate](/usc/15/7702.md?p=9) the transmission to a [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13) of a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) that does not contain a functioning return [electronic mail address](/usc/15/7702.md?p=5) or other [Internet](/usc/15/7702.md?p=10)-based mechanism, clearly and conspicuously displayed, that—
      - (i) a [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) may use to submit, in a manner specified in the message, a reply [electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=6) or other form of [Internet](/usc/15/7702.md?p=10)-based communication requesting not to receive future [commercial electronic mail messages](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) from that [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A) at the [electronic mail address](/usc/15/7702.md?p=5) where the message was received; and
      - (ii) remains capable of receiving such messages or communications for no less than 30 days after the transmission of the original message.
    - (B) **More detailed options possible—** The [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) initiating a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) may comply with [subparagraph (A)(i)](#a-3-A-i) by providing the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) a list or menu from which the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) may choose the specific types of [commercial electronic mail messages](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) wants to receive or does not want to receive from the [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A), if the list or menu includes an option under which the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) may choose not to receive any [commercial electronic mail messages](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) from the [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A).
    - (C) **Temporary inability to receive messages or process requests—** A return [electronic mail address](/usc/15/7702.md?p=5) or other mechanism does not fail to satisfy the requirements of [subparagraph (A)](#a-3-A) if it is unexpectedly and temporarily unable to receive messages or process requests due to a technical problem beyond the control of the [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A) if the problem is corrected within a reasonable time period.
  - (4) **Prohibition of transmission of commercial electronic mail after objection—**
    - (A) **In general—** If a [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) makes a request using a mechanism provided pursuant to [paragraph (3)](#a-3) not to receive some or any [commercial electronic mail messages](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) from such [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A), then it is unlawful—
      - (i) for the [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A) to [initiate](/usc/15/7702.md?p=9) the transmission to the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14), more than 10 business days after the receipt of such request, of a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) that falls within the scope of the request;
      - (ii) for any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) acting on behalf of the [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A) to [initiate](/usc/15/7702.md?p=9) the transmission to the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14), more than 10 business days after the receipt of such request, of a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) with actual knowledge, or knowledge fairly implied on the basis of objective circumstances, that such message falls within the scope of the request;
      - (iii) for any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) acting on behalf of the [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A) to assist in initiating the transmission to the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14), through the provision or selection of addresses to which the message will be sent, of a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) with actual knowledge, or knowledge fairly implied on the basis of objective circumstances, that such message would violate clause [(i)](#a-4-A-i) or [(ii)](#a-4-A-ii); or
      - (iv) for the [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A), or any other [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) who knows that the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) has made such a request, to sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise transfer or release the [electronic mail address](/usc/15/7702.md?p=5) of the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) (including through any transaction or other transfer involving mailing lists bearing the [electronic mail address](/usc/15/7702.md?p=5) of the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14)) for any purpose other than compliance with this chapter or other provision of law.
    - (B) **Subsequent affirmative consent—** A prohibition in [subparagraph (A)](#a-4-A) does not apply if there is [affirmative consent](/usc/15/7702.md?p=1) by the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) subsequent to the request under [subparagraph (A)](#a-4-A).
  - (5) **Inclusion of identifier, opt-out, and physical address in commercial electronic mail—**
    - (A) It is unlawful for any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) to [initiate](/usc/15/7702.md?p=9) the transmission of any [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) to a [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13) unless the message provides—
      - (i) clear and conspicuous identification that the message is an advertisement or solicitation;
      - (ii) clear and conspicuous notice of the opportunity under [paragraph (3)](#a-3) to decline to receive further [commercial electronic mail messages](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) from the [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A); and
      - (iii) a valid physical postal address of the [sender](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A).
    - (B) [Subparagraph (A)(i)](#a-5-A-i) does not apply to the transmission of a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) if the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) has given prior [affirmative consent](/usc/15/7702.md?p=1) to receipt of the message.
  - (6) **Materially—** For purposes of [paragraph (1)](#a-1), the term “materially”, when used with respect to false or misleading [header information](/usc/15/7702.md?p=8), includes the alteration or concealment of [header information](/usc/15/7702.md?p=8) in a manner that would impair the ability of an [Internet access service](/usc/15/7702.md?p=11) processing the message on behalf of a [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14), a [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) alleging a violation of this section, or a law enforcement agency to identify, locate, or respond to a [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) who initiated the [electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=6) or to investigate the alleged violation, or the ability of a [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) of the message to respond to a [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) who initiated the electronic message.
- (b) **Aggravated violations relating to commercial electronic mail—**
  - (1) **Address harvesting and dictionary attacks—**
    - (A) **In general—** It is unlawful for any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) to [initiate](/usc/15/7702.md?p=9) the transmission, to a [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13), of a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) that is unlawful under [subsection (a)](#a), or to assist in the origination of such message through the provision or selection of addresses to which the message will be transmitted, if such [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) had actual knowledge, or knowledge fairly implied on the basis of objective circumstances, that—
      - (i) the [electronic mail address](/usc/15/7702.md?p=5) of the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) was obtained using an automated means from an [Internet](/usc/15/7702.md?p=10) website or proprietary online service operated by another [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6), and such website or online service included, at the time the address was obtained, a notice stating that the operator of such website or online service will not give, sell, or otherwise transfer addresses maintained by such website or online service to any other party for the purposes of initiating, or enabling others to [initiate](/usc/15/7702.md?p=9), [electronic mail messages](/usc/15/7702.md?p=6); or
      - (ii) the [electronic mail address](/usc/15/7702.md?p=5) of the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) was obtained using an automated means that generates possible [electronic mail addresses](/usc/15/7702.md?p=5) by combining names, letters, or numbers into numerous permutations.
    - (B) **Disclaimer—** Nothing in this paragraph creates an ownership or proprietary interest in such [electronic mail addresses](/usc/15/7702.md?p=5).
  - (2) **Automated creation of multiple electronic mail accounts—** It is unlawful for any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) to use scripts or other automated means to register for multiple electronic mail accounts or online user accounts from which to transmit to a [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13), or enable another [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) to transmit to a [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13), a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) that is unlawful under [subsection (a)](#a).
  - (3) **Relay or retransmission through unauthorized access—** It is unlawful for any [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) knowingly to relay or retransmit a [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) that is unlawful under [subsection (a)](#a) from a [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13) or computer network that such [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) has accessed without authorization.
- (c) **Supplementary rulemaking authority—** The [Commission](/usc/15/7702.md?p=3) shall by regulation, pursuant to [section 7711 of this title](/usc/15/7711.md)—
  - (1) modify the 10-business-day period under [subsection (a)(4)(A)](#a-4-A) or [subsection (a)(4)(B)](#a-4-B), or both, if the [Commission](/usc/15/7702.md?p=3) determines that a different period would be more reasonable after taking into account—
    - (A) the purposes of [subsection (a)](#a);
    - (B) the interests of [recipients](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) of commercial electronic mail; and
    - (C) the burdens imposed on [senders](/usc/15/7702.md?p=16-A) of lawful commercial electronic mail; and
  - (2) specify additional activities or practices to which [subsection (b)](#b) applies if the [Commission](/usc/15/7702.md?p=3) determines that those activities or practices are contributing substantially to the proliferation of [commercial electronic mail messages](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) that are unlawful under [subsection (a)](#a).
- (d) **Requirement to place warning labels on commercial electronic mail containing sexually oriented material—**
  - (1) **In general—** No [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) may [initiate](/usc/15/7702.md?p=9) in or affecting interstate commerce the transmission, to a [protected computer](/usc/15/7702.md?p=13), of any [commercial electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=2-A) that includes sexually oriented material and—
    - (A) fail to include in subject heading for the [electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=6) the marks or notices prescribed by the [Commission](/usc/15/7702.md?p=3) under this subsection; or
    - (B) fail to provide that the matter in the message that is initially viewable to the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14), when the message is opened by any [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) and absent any further actions by the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14), includes only—
      - (i) to the extent required or authorized pursuant to [paragraph (2)](#d-2), any such marks or notices;
      - (ii) the information required to be included in the message pursuant to [subsection (a)(5)](#a-5); and
      - (iii) instructions on how to access, or a mechanism to access, the sexually oriented material.
  - (2) **Prior affirmative consent—** [Paragraph (1)](#d-1) does not apply to the transmission of an [electronic mail message](/usc/15/7702.md?p=6) if the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) has given prior [affirmative consent](/usc/15/7702.md?p=1) to receipt of the message.
  - (3) **Prescription of marks and notices—** Not later than 120 days after December 16, 2003, the [Commission](/usc/15/7702.md?p=3) in consultation with the Attorney General shall prescribe clearly identifiable marks or notices to be included in or associated with commercial electronic mail that contains sexually oriented material, in order to inform the [recipient](/usc/15/7702.md?p=14) of that fact and to facilitate filtering of such electronic mail. The [Commission](/usc/15/7702.md?p=3) shall publish in the Federal Register and provide notice to the public of the marks or notices prescribed under this paragraph.
  - (4) **Definition—** In this subsection, the term “sexually oriented material” means any material that depicts sexually explicit conduct (as that term is defined in [section 2256 of title 18](/usc/18/2256.md)), unless the depiction constitutes a small and insignificant part of the whole, the remainder of which is not primarily devoted to sexual matters.
  - (5) **Penalty—** Whoever knowingly violates [paragraph (1)](#d-1) shall be fined under [title 18](/usc/18.md), or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 108–187, § 5, Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2706.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(4)(A)(iv), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 108–187, Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2699, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7701 of this title and Tables.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 2004, see section 16 of Pub. L. 108–187, set out as a note under section 7701 of this title.