DEFINITION

Email Spam

"Email Spam" is unsolicited email sent in bulk, or "Unsolicited Bulk Email" (UBE).

• "Unsolicited" is defined as: Not looked for or requested; unsought.
• Unsolicited email therefore refers to email being sent without specific and verifiable permission from the recipient.
• Unsolicited email is not spam. Example: A surprise email from a colleague that never emailed you before.
• "Bulk" is defined as: Size, mass, or volume, especially when very large.
• Email sent in bulk therefore refers to email being sent in very large volumes, all having identical content.
• Solicited email sent in bulk is not spam. Example: Newsletters for which the recipient explicitly subscribed.

Conclusion: Email is only regarded to be Email Spam if it is sent both unsolicited and in bulk.