EDITORIAL
New anti-spam law won't empty inboxes

What America needs as a bookend to the recently enacted "Do Not Call" list is a "Do Not Spam" list. Unfortunately, a highly anticipated law to restrict junk commercial e-mail, which now accounts for more than half of all e-mail traffic, is unlikely to make any great reduction in the current amount of spam trafficking because:

• It pre-empts stronger state laws, such as one recently passed in California.
• It permits the Federal Trade Commission and other federal agencies, state attorneys general and Internet service providers to take spammers to court — but not individuals.
• It doesn't outlaw spam. It legalizes it. So legitimate businesses are likely to jump on the spam bandwagon as the "Do Not Call" list cuts into their telemarketing efforts.
• The FTC is encouraged, not required, by the law to consider creation of a "Do Not Spam" list.