Create an e-annoyance, go to jail

[k4kyv]

 Annoying someone via the Internet is now a federal crime.

It's no joke. Last Thursday, President Bush signed into law a prohibition on posting annoying Web messages or sending annoying e-mail messages without disclosing your true identity.

http://news.com.com/Create+an+e-annoyance%2C+go+to+jail/2010-1028_3-6022491.html

[John Holotko]

Wow, that is incredible. Are y'all sure this is real  and not one of them urban legends ?? As the article states, what is meant by the term "annoy". How do you judge what/it someone has been  "annoyed". Anything can be annoying to someone. This law sounds absurd to me. I don't see how it is enforceable.  Further,  the Internet is international. So someone overseas can annoy someone but an American can't ? I think we outdid China on this one. We certainly  beat them to it. Note ,  they got this one passed as a rider to an unrelated bill.
 

[WA1GFZ]

maybe dumbo needs a reason to start another little war

[wa2zdy]

A reader replies:

http://news.com.com/5208-1028-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=12943&messageID=102998&start=-1

Anyone researched this to see where the truth lies?   I'm curious. 

And if this is true, should it mean spammer are criminals?  Spam  is certainly annoying.

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

Not knowing the legal definition of annoy renders all this as mere supposition.

[W1ATR]

Not knowing the legal definition of annoy renders all this as mere supposition.

Annoy pretty much sums up 99% of the email that finds it's way to me. The entire freaking internet thinks my penis is too small and I need to refi a house that's paid off. I don't know where they get they're info from.

I really love the spammers that spam you with anti-spam software for sale.

[John Holotko]

Not knowing the legal definition of annoy renders all this as mere supposition.

Annoy pretty much sums up 99% of the email that finds it's way to me. The entire freaking internet thinks my penis is too small and I need to refi a house that's paid off. I don't know where they get they're info from.

I really love the spammers that spam you with anti-spam software for sale.

Hah !! I like the ones that keep telling  me that I need Viagara and Cialis. Or  the ones that promise to send controlled narcotics to my door.   Or, best of all, the Nigerian scams that promise to make me rich and share in the "wealth" provided I send them  my bank accounts, sign my property over to them along with my  wife, girlfriend, and first born.