{"identifier":"/us/usc/t15/s7702","title":15,"num":"\u00a7\u202f7702.","heading":"Definitions","text":"\u00a7\u202f7702.\nDefinitions\nIn this chapter:\n(1)\nAffirmative consent\nThe term \u201caffirmative consent\u201d, when used with respect to a commercial electronic mail message, means that\u2014\n(A) the recipient expressly consented to receive the message, either in response to a clear and conspicuous request for such consent or at the recipient\u2019s own initiative; and\n(B) if the message is from a party other than the party to which the recipient communicated such consent, the recipient was given clear and conspicuous notice at the time the consent was communicated that the recipient\u2019s electronic mail address could be transferred to such other party for the purpose of initiating commercial electronic mail messages.\n(2)\nCommercial electronic mail message\n(A)\nIn general\nThe term \u201ccommercial electronic mail message\u201d means any electronic mail message the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service (including content on an Internet website operated for a commercial purpose).\n(B)\nTransactional or relationship messages\nThe term \u201ccommercial electronic mail message\u201d does not include a transactional or relationship message.\n(C)\nRegulations regarding primary purpose\nNot later than 12 months after\nDecember 16, 2003\nsection 7711 of this title\n(D)\nReference to company or website\nThe inclusion of a reference to a commercial entity or a link to the website of a commercial entity in an electronic mail message does not, by itself, cause such message to be treated as a commercial electronic mail message for purposes of this chapter if the contents or circumstances of the message indicate a primary purpose other than commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service.\n(3)\nCommission\nThe term \u201cCommission\u201d means the Federal Trade Commission.\n(4)\nDomain name\nThe term \u201cdomain name\u201d means any alphanumeric designation which is registered with or assigned by any domain name registrar, domain name registry, or other domain name registration authority as part of an electronic address on the Internet.\n(5)\nElectronic mail address\nThe term \u201celectronic mail address\u201d means a destination, commonly expressed as a string of characters, consisting of a unique user name or mailbox (commonly referred to as the \u201clocal part\u201d) and a reference to an Internet domain (commonly referred to as the \u201cdomain part\u201d), whether or not displayed, to which an electronic mail message can be sent or delivered.\n(6)\nElectronic mail message\nThe term \u201celectronic mail message\u201d means a message sent to a unique electronic mail address.\n(7)\nFTC Act\nThe term \u201cFTC Act\u201d means the Federal Trade Commission Act (\n15 U.S.C. 41\n(8)\nHeader information\nThe term \u201cheader information\u201d means the source, destination, and routing information attached to an electronic mail message, including the originating domain name and originating electronic mail address, and any other information that appears in the line identifying, or purporting to identify, a person initiating the message.\n(9)\nInitiate\nThe term \u201cinitiate\u201d, when used with respect to a commercial electronic mail message, means to originate or transmit such message or to procure the origination or transmission of such message, but shall not include actions that constitute routine conveyance of such message. For purposes of this paragraph, more than one person may be considered to have initiated a message.\n(10)\nInternet\nThe term \u201cInternet\u201d has the meaning given that term in the Internet Tax Freedom Act (\n47 U.S.C. 151\n(11)\nInternet access service\nThe term \u201cInternet access service\u201d has the meaning given that term in\nsection 231(e)(4) of title 47\n(12)\nProcure\nThe term \u201cprocure\u201d, when used with respect to the initiation of a commercial electronic mail message, means intentionally to pay or provide other consideration to, or induce, another person to initiate such a message on one\u2019s behalf.\n(13)\nProtected computer\nThe term \u201cprotected computer\u201d has the meaning given that term in\nsection 1030(e)(2)(B) of title 18\n(14)\nRecipient\nThe term \u201crecipient\u201d, when used with respect to a commercial electronic mail message, means an authorized user of the electronic mail address to which the message was sent or delivered. If a recipient of a commercial electronic mail message has one or more electronic mail addresses in addition to the address to which the message was sent or delivered, the recipient shall be treated as a separate recipient with respect to each such address. If an electronic mail address is reassigned to a new user, the new user shall not be treated as a recipient of any commercial electronic mail message sent or delivered to that address before it was reassigned.\n(15)\nRoutine conveyance\nThe term \u201croutine conveyance\u201d means the transmission, routing, relaying, handling, or storing, through an automatic technical process, of an electronic mail message for which another person has identified the recipients or provided the recipient addresses.\n(16)\nSender\n(A)\nIn general\nExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), the term \u201csender\u201d, when used with respect to a commercial electronic mail message, means a person who initiates such a message and whose product, service, or Internet web site is advertised or promoted by the message.\n(B)\nSeparate lines of business or divisions\nIf an entity operates through separate lines of business or divisions and holds itself out to the recipient throughout the message as that particular line of business or division rather than as the entity of which such line of business or division is a part, then the line of business or the division shall be treated as the sender of such message for purposes of this chapter.\n(17)\nTransactional or relationship message\n(A)\nIn general\nThe term \u201ctransactional or relationship message\u201d means an electronic mail message the primary purpose of which is\u2014\n(i) to facilitate, complete, or confirm a commercial transaction that the recipient has previously agreed to enter into with the sender;\n(ii) to provide warranty information, product recall information, or safety or security information with respect to a commercial product or service used or purchased by the recipient;\n(iii) to provide\u2014\n(I) notification concerning a change in the terms or features of;\n(II) notification of a change in the recipient\u2019s standing or status with respect to; or\n(III) at regular periodic intervals, account balance information or other type of account statement with respect to,\na subscription, membership, account, loan, or comparable ongoing commercial relationship involving the ongoing purchase or use by the recipient of products or services offered by the sender;\n(iv) to provide information directly related to an employment relationship or related benefit plan in which the recipient is currently involved, participating, or enrolled; or\n(v) to deliver goods or services, including product updates or upgrades, that the recipient is entitled to receive under the terms of a transaction that the recipient has previously agreed to enter into with the sender.\n(B)\nModification of definition\nThe Commission by regulation pursuant to\nsection 7711 of this title","url":"https://projectusc.org/usc/t15/s7702.html","content":[{"t":"sec","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702","children":[{"t":"num","text":"\u00a7\u202f7702."},{"t":"heading","text":"Definitions","tail":"\n"},{"t":"chapeau","text":"In this chapter:"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/1","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(1)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Affirmative consent"},{"t":"chapeau","text":"The term \u201caffirmative consent\u201d, when used with respect to a commercial electronic mail message, means that\u2014"},{"t":"subpara","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/1/A","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(A)"},{"t":"content","text":" the recipient expressly consented to receive the message, either in response to a clear and conspicuous request for such consent or at the recipient\u2019s own initiative; and","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"subpara","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/1/B","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(B)"},{"t":"content","text":" if the message is from a party other than the party to which the recipient communicated such consent, the recipient was given clear and conspicuous notice at the time the consent was communicated that the recipient\u2019s electronic mail address could be transferred to such other party for the purpose of initiating commercial electronic mail messages.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/2","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(2)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Commercial electronic mail message"},{"t":"subpara","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/2/A","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(A)"},{"t":"heading","text":"In general"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201ccommercial electronic mail message\u201d means any electronic mail message the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service (including content on an Internet website operated for a commercial purpose).","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"subpara","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/2/B","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(B)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Transactional or relationship messages"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201ccommercial electronic mail message\u201d does not include a transactional or relationship message.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"subpara","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/2/C","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(C)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Regulations regarding primary purpose"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"Not later than 12 months after ","children":[{"t":"text","text":"December 16, 2003","tail":", the Commission shall issue regulations pursuant to "},{"t":"ref","text":"section 7711 of this title","href":"/us/usc/t15/s7711","tail":" defining the relevant criteria to facilitate the determination of the primary purpose of an electronic mail message."}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"subpara","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/2/D","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(D)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Reference to company or website"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The inclusion of a reference to a commercial entity or a link to the website of a commercial entity in an electronic mail message does not, by itself, cause such message to be treated as a commercial electronic mail message for purposes of this chapter if the contents or circumstances of the message indicate a primary purpose other than commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/3","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(3)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Commission"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201cCommission\u201d means the Federal Trade Commission.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/4","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(4)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Domain name"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201cdomain name\u201d means any alphanumeric designation which is registered with or assigned by any domain name registrar, domain name registry, or other domain name registration authority as part of an electronic address on the Internet.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/5","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(5)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Electronic mail address"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201celectronic mail address\u201d means a destination, commonly expressed as a string of characters, consisting of a unique user name or mailbox (commonly referred to as the \u201clocal part\u201d) and a reference to an Internet domain (commonly referred to as the \u201cdomain part\u201d), whether or not displayed, to which an electronic mail message can be sent or delivered.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/6","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(6)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Electronic mail message"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201celectronic mail message\u201d means a message sent to a unique electronic mail address.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/7","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(7)"},{"t":"heading","text":"FTC Act"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201cFTC Act\u201d means the Federal Trade Commission Act (","children":[{"t":"ref","text":"15 U.S.C. 41","href":"/us/usc/t15/s41","tail":" et seq.)."}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/8","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(8)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Header information"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201cheader information\u201d means the source, destination, and routing information attached to an electronic mail message, including the originating domain name and originating electronic mail address, and any other information that appears in the line identifying, or purporting to identify, a person initiating the message.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/9","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(9)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Initiate"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201cinitiate\u201d, when used with respect to a commercial electronic mail message, means to originate or transmit such message or to procure the origination or transmission of such message, but shall not include actions that constitute routine conveyance of such message. For purposes of this paragraph, more than one person may be considered to have initiated a message.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/10","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(10)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Internet"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201cInternet\u201d has the meaning given that term in the Internet Tax Freedom Act (","children":[{"t":"ref","text":"47 U.S.C. 151","href":"/us/usc/t47/s151","tail":" nt)."}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/11","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(11)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Internet access service"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201cInternet access service\u201d has the meaning given that term in ","children":[{"t":"ref","text":"section 231(e)(4) of title 47","href":"/us/usc/t47/s231/e/4","tail":"."}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/12","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(12)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Procure"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201cprocure\u201d, when used with respect to the initiation of a commercial electronic mail message, means intentionally to pay or provide other consideration to, or induce, another person to initiate such a message on one\u2019s behalf.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/13","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(13)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Protected computer"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201cprotected computer\u201d has the meaning given that term in ","children":[{"t":"ref","text":"section 1030(e)(2)(B) of title 18","href":"/us/usc/t18/s1030/e/2/B","tail":"."}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/14","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(14)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Recipient"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201crecipient\u201d, when used with respect to a commercial electronic mail message, means an authorized user of the electronic mail address to which the message was sent or delivered. If a recipient of a commercial electronic mail message has one or more electronic mail addresses in addition to the address to which the message was sent or delivered, the recipient shall be treated as a separate recipient with respect to each such address. If an electronic mail address is reassigned to a new user, the new user shall not be treated as a recipient of any commercial electronic mail message sent or delivered to that address before it was reassigned.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/15","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(15)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Routine conveyance"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The term \u201croutine conveyance\u201d means the transmission, routing, relaying, handling, or storing, through an automatic technical process, of an electronic mail message for which another person has identified the recipients or provided the recipient addresses.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/16","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(16)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Sender"},{"t":"subpara","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/16/A","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(A)"},{"t":"heading","text":"In general"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term \u201csender\u201d, when used with respect to a commercial electronic mail message, means a person who initiates such a message and whose product, service, or Internet web site is advertised or promoted by the message.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"subpara","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/16/B","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(B)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Separate lines of business or divisions"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"If an entity operates through separate lines of business or divisions and holds itself out to the recipient throughout the message as that particular line of business or division rather than as the entity of which such line of business or division is a part, then the line of business or the division shall be treated as the sender of such message for purposes of this chapter.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(17)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Transactional or relationship message"},{"t":"subpara","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17/A","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(A)"},{"t":"heading","text":"In general"},{"t":"chapeau","text":"The term \u201ctransactional or relationship message\u201d means an electronic mail message the primary purpose of which is\u2014"},{"t":"clause","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17/A/i","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(i)"},{"t":"content","text":" to facilitate, complete, or confirm a commercial transaction that the recipient has previously agreed to enter into with the sender;","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"clause","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17/A/ii","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(ii)"},{"t":"content","text":" to provide warranty information, product recall information, or safety or security information with respect to a commercial product or service used or purchased by the recipient;","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"clause","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17/A/iii","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(iii)"},{"t":"chapeau","text":" to provide\u2014"},{"t":"subclause","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17/A/iii/I","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(I)"},{"t":"content","text":" notification concerning a change in the terms or features of;","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"subclause","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17/A/iii/II","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(II)"},{"t":"content","text":" notification of a change in the recipient\u2019s standing or status with respect to; or","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"subclause","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17/A/iii/III","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(III)"},{"t":"content","text":" at regular periodic intervals, account balance information or other type of account statement with respect to,","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n\n"},{"t":"continuation","text":"\u2001a subscription, membership, account, loan, or comparable ongoing commercial relationship involving the ongoing purchase or use by the recipient of products or services offered by the sender;","tail":"\n"},{"t":"clause","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17/A/iv","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(iv)"},{"t":"content","text":" to provide information directly related to an employment relationship or related benefit plan in which the recipient is currently involved, participating, or enrolled; or","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"clause","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17/A/v","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(v)"},{"t":"content","text":" to deliver goods or services, including product updates or upgrades, that the recipient is entitled to receive under the terms of a transaction that the recipient has previously agreed to enter into with the sender.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"subpara","id":"/us/usc/t15/s7702/17/B","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(B)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Modification of definition"},{"t":"content","children":[{"t":"p","text":"The Commission by regulation pursuant to ","children":[{"t":"ref","text":"section 7711 of this title","href":"/us/usc/t15/s7711","tail":" may modify the definition in subparagraph (A) to expand or contract the categories of messages that are treated as transactional or relationship messages for purposes of this chapter to the extent that such modification is necessary to accommodate changes in electronic mail technology or practices and accomplish the purposes of this chapter."}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"text","text":"\n"},{"t":"text","text":"\n"}]}]}