FCC Sticks By Do-Not-Call Rules

First, a federal district court in Oklahoma overturned the FTC's rules, arguing that the agency did not have the authority to promulgate the rules.

Congress quickly responded by passing legislation specifically granting the FTC the required authority, which President Bush is expected to sign today.

However, a federal district court in Colorado then ruled that the FTC's rules are an unconstitutional restriction on free speech, because they apply only to certain parties, in this case to businesses but not to charities.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver will hear the FTC's appeal of the District Court's decision.

However, when the direct marketing groups challenging the do-not-call requirements asked the 10th Circuit to block the FCC's rules as well as the FTC's, the court refused to do so, stating that there is a strong public interest in leaving the FCC's rules in place.

The FCC has posted Powell's statement at //hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-239219A1.pdf