MAPS' Definition of "spam"

STANDARD:
An electronic message is "spam" IF: (1) the recipient's personal identity and
context are irrelevant because the message is equally applicable to many other
potential recipients; AND (2) the recipient has not verifiably granted
deliberate, explicit, and still-revocable permission for it to be sent; AND
(3) the transmission and reception of the message appears to the recipient to
give a disproportionate benefit to the sender.

DISCUSSION:

   1.  Trivial or mechanized personalization such as "Dear Mr. Jones, we see
that you are the holder of the JONES.COM domain" does not make the personal
identity of the recipient relevant in any way.

   2.  Failing to click the "do not send me marketing literature by e-mail"
button in a web sign-up form does not convey explicit permission. Only when
the default result is "no follow-up e-mail" AND the inbox impact is clearly
stated before any action which changes this result, can permission of this
kind be conveyed.

   3.  The appearance of disproportionate benefit to the sender, and the
relevancy of the recipient's specific personal identity, are authoritatively
determined by the recipient, and is not subject to argument or reinterpretation
by the sender.

   4.  Non-personal e-mail always places a disproportionate cost burden on
the recipient, and is considered to disproportionately benefit the sender
unless it was verifiably solicited or by the recipient's willing exception.

   5.  A message need not be offensive or commercial in order to fit the
definition of "spam." Content is irrelevant except to the extent necessary
to determine personal applicability, consent, and benefit.