Siliconvalley.com: E-mail spammers now need permission in Britain

Britain passed a law forcing companies to first get explicit permission from email recipients before sending out offers. The law allows individuals to sue companies sending unsolicited email offers. The measure was introduced make Britain come into compliance with a European Union directive requiring such a measure be passed by the end of October. The rules will come into force on December 11.

Former British colony Australia passed a law yesterday that provides for fines of about $725,000 per day for spamming companies.