(1) The department may bring an action for damages or for declaratory or injunctive relief or may impose a civil penalty as provided in s. 668.6075. A cause of action, without regard to any other remedy or relief to which a person is entitled, including the right to seek declaratory and injunctive relief against a person who initiates or assists in the transmission of a commercial electronic mail message that violates, has violated, or is otherwise likely to violate s. 668.603, is also available to an interactive computer service, telephone company, or cable provider that handles or retransmits the commercial electronic mail message.
(2) This part does not create a cause of action or provide for criminal charges against an interactive computer service, customer premise equipment provider, communications service provider, or cable provider whose equipment is used to transport, handle, or retransmit a commercial electronic mail message that violates s. 668.603.
(3) A prevailing plaintiff in an action filed under this part is entitled to:
(a) An injunction to enjoin future violations of s. 668.603.
(b) Compensatory damages equal to any actual damage proven by the plaintiff to have resulted from the initiation of the unsolicited commercial electronic mail message or liquidated damages of $500 for each unsolicited commercial electronic mail message that violates s. 668.603.
(c) The plaintiff’s attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in connection with the action.
(4) Any person outside this state who initiates or assists in the transmission of a commercial electronic mail message received in this state which violates s. 668.603 and who knows, or should have known, that the commercial electronic mail message will be received in this state submits to the jurisdiction of this state for purposes of this part.
(5) An action under this section must be commenced within 4 years following the date of any activity prohibited by s. 668.603.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-233; s. 2, ch. 2006-232.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XXXIX - Commercial Relations
Chapter 668 - Electronic Commerce
Part III - Electronic Mail Communications (Ss. 668.60-668.610)
668.60 - Short title; application.
668.603 - Prohibited activity.
668.604 - Blocking of commercial electronic mail by interactive computer service.
668.605 - Confidentiality of intelligence or investigation information.
668.606 - Civil remedies; service provider immunity.
668.6075 - Unfair and deceptive trade practices.
668.6076 - Public records status of e-mail addresses; agency website notice.