'Do Not Call' Registry Upheld

A U.S. appeals court in Denver has upheld the authority of the federal government to enforce a "do not call" list and protect consumers from unsolicited telemarketing calls."We hold that the do-not-call registry is a valid commercial speech regulation because it directly advances the government's important interests in safeguarding personal privacy and reducing the danger of telemarketing abuse without burdening an excessive amount of speech," the court's opinion says. "The Tenth Circuit's ruling represents a major a victory for American consumers," said Timothy Muris, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. "In upholding the constitutionality of the National Do Not Call Registry, the court has made it clear that the FTC and Federal Communications Commission can and will continue to protect consumers' privacy at home." The FCC has already threatened to fine one mortgage company, California Pacific Mortgage, Irvine, Calif., for making telemarketing calls to telephone lines that are listed on the Do Not Call Registry. The company also goes by the name CPM Funding.