On August 19, 2008, the Federal Trade Commission announced several new rules affecting telemarketing. First, the FTC announced that by December 1, 2008, any telemarketers using prerecorded messages must implement an automated opt-out mechanism. Second, the FTC announced that it will prohibit the use of prerecorded messages in telemarketing sales calls altogether after September 1, 2009, unless customers expressly provide prior written consent to receive such calls.

For more on the FTC's new rules, see our recent Email Alert.