(a)
(1) the term "promoter" means any person who—
(A) originates and mails any skill contest or sweepstakes, except for any matter described in section 3001(k)(4); or
(B) originates and causes to be mailed any skill contest or sweepstakes, except for any matter described in section 3001(k)(4);
(2) the term "removal request" means a request stating that an individual elects to have the name and address of such individual excluded from any list used by a promoter for mailing skill contests or sweepstakes;
(3) the terms "skill contest", "sweepstakes", and "clearly and conspicuously displayed" have the same meanings as given them in section 3001(k); and
(4) the term "duly authorized person", as used in connection with an individual, means a conservator or guardian of, or person granted power of attorney by, such individual.
(b)
(1)
(A) is nonmailable matter;
(B) shall not be carried or delivered by mail; and
(C) shall be disposed of as the Postal Service directs.
(2)
(A) is a skill contest or sweepstakes, except for any matter described in section 3001(k)(4); and
(B)
(i) is addressed to an individual who made an election to be excluded from lists under subsection (d); or
(ii) does not comply with subsection (c)(1).
(c)
(1)
(A) is clearly and conspicuously displayed;
(B) includes the address or toll-free telephone number of the notification system established under paragraph (2); and
(C) states that the notification system may be used to prohibit the mailing of all skill contests or sweepstakes by that promoter to such individual.
(2)
(d)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(A) has changed the election; and
(B) elects to receive skill contest or sweepstakes mailings from that promoter.
(e)
(1)
(A) an action to enjoin such violation;
(B) an action to recover for actual monetary loss from such a violation, or to receive $500 in damages for each such violation, whichever is greater; or
(C) both such actions.
It shall be an affirmative defense in any action brought under this subsection that the defendant has established and implemented, with due care, reasonable practices and procedures to effectively prevent mailings in violation of subsection (d). If the court finds that the defendant willfully or knowingly violated subsection (d), the court may, in its discretion, increase the amount of the award to an amount equal to not more than 3 times the amount available under subparagraph (B).
(2)
(f)
(1) a removal request is received by the promoter's notification system; and
(2) the promoter has a good faith belief that the request is from—
(A) the individual whose name and address is to be excluded; or
(B) another duly authorized person.
(g)
(1)
(A)
(B)
(2)
(h)
(1)
(A) who recklessly mails nonmailable matter in violation of subsection (b) shall be liable to the United States in an amount of $10,000 per violation for each mailing to an individual of nonmailable matter; or
(B) who fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (c)(2) shall be liable to the United States.
(2)
Effective Date
Pub. L. 106–168, title I, §108(c), Dec. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1816, provided that: "This section [enacting this section] shall take effect 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 1999]."