Internet 'spam' New US legislation
The authorities say the e-mails threaten to clog up the entire Internet system. The measures are seen as vital in the US from where the bulk of unsolicited global e-mail originates.
The bill now goes to President George W Bush for signing.
The law approves penalties including fines and jail sentences for individuals and companies that send out junk e-mails to recipients who have said they wish to unsubscribe.
But it will not stop mass e-mail sending entirely, nor will it prevent pornographic messages being sent out. However, the law does state that pornography must be clearly labelled as such.
Anti-spam campaigners who have been demanding legislation are very unhappy with the new law.
They wanted spamming to be made completely illegal. They argue the law tells 23 million US businesses they are now free to send mass e-mails as long as they follow certain guidelines.
