CNET: States join spyware battle

The Utah legislature passed a law that would make what it considers "spyware" illegal. While that law awaits the governor's signature, Iowa and California are also considering similar measures.

The Utah measure was a response to a complaint by a Utah contact lens manufacturer annoyed by the fact that competing advertisers were getting pop-up ads to appear when people visited its site. Instead of suing the companies responsible under federal law, the company lobbied for a new state law to be created. It remains far from clear whether or not such a law would pass constitutional muster, especially as states are seldom allowed to fetter interstate commerce.