If you're like me, you've seen not a decrease, but a dramatic increase in spam since the US anti-spam law was enacted. Why is this? Honestly, I don't know. Does it mean that anti-spam legislation doesn't work? It's obviously not a cure-all. But last month, the first four spammers were charged under the act. While taking four spammers off the market won't put a dent in the problem by itself, if the defendants are convicted, and if their sentences are convincing, that should send a message to spammers that they'd better start considering other options for supporting themselves.

Ultimately, legislation and law enforcement is highly unlikely to stop spam, nor even to keep it from growing. With a world-wide internet, there are too many ways and places to get around or away from the laws. But with luck, it will be a helpful part of a multipronged approach to battling this scourge.