With a stunning figure of 40% of global e-mail traffic, Spam is without doubt the #1 thing we have come to hate about the internet. According to this BBC News article, new rules would take place for unsolicited e-mail starting from this October, making spam illegal across member states.
Under the directive unsolicited e-mails may only be sent to individuals for direct marketing purposes and "with their prior consent" or where there is an existing customer relationship.
The article mentions that the biggest problem directives may face would be combating the flood of spam which comes from outside the European Union, either way it's good to hear legal measures are being considered already.