US telemarketers' in legal battle against 'do not call' list

In a little over two months, about 17 million American households who would prefer not to be approached by telemarketers registered their telephone numbers for entry into a national database. (ref. "Telemarketing blocking service flooded by registrants")

The 'do not call' list is due to come into effect on October 3, however the American Teleservices Association is calling for the Federal Communications Commission to withhold enforcement of the new rules until a petition lodged with the Court of Appeals has been reviewed.

According to ATA executive director Tim Searcy, if the list is implemented the US economy could stand to lose up to two million jobs in the telemarketing industry, which produces over $660 billion of sales per year. "This truly is a case of regulatory overkill. Unfortunately, the FCC ignored its obligations under the federal law and the Constitution to carefully balance the privacy interests of consumers with the First Amendment rights of legitimate telemarketers."