FCC extends fax advertising deadline

Businesses must cease sending advertising faxes on January 5, 2005—unless they first secure prior written permission from the target—according to a new deadline established by the FCC this week. The extension does not affect other fax advertising rules adopted on June 26, 2003, or rules governing the national do-not-call registry that take effect in October of this year. Currently, fax advertisers must secure written consent from targets with which they do not have a business relationship, but are allowed to send unsolicited faxes to those with whom they already are conducting business.