It's been almost 5 years since the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 went into effect, but don't think the law has faded by the wayside. Although anti-spammers have referred to the law as the YOU CAN-SPAM Act and are quick to point out shortcomings, the law is the law - and it is being enforced.

Anti-spam organizations as well as the FTC, Internet Service Providers and even popular sites like MySpace are becoming better and better at tracking down and prosecuting spammers.

If you're a new website operator or you own a business website that children under 13 may use, you need to understand and comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA. This act was passed on April 21, 2000 to protect the privacy as well as the safety of children under the age of 13 who use the Internet.

COPPA outlines specific requirements website operators
must adhere to, and ignorance is no defense when it comes to COPPA.