>I understand the legislation in the EU is more strict, only allowing mass mailings in certain circumstances, like when there is a former client relationship.

That also is not good. How many times have you seen an email saying "Thank you for having registered with us." or "As a long time subscriber..." where this isn't true at all. So, they use it to justify the send and be used later on in case the client says this is not true. So, who would tell the truth.

>I certainly hope the World will gradually awake to the need of measures that are more strict than just the ridiculous "unsubscribe option". I also hope that the need will eventually be seen to have international agreements in this respect.

Yes, something will have to be done against it. But, again, who's behind all that (ad-aware, viruses, spyware, etc.)? Someone makes money on it. It is also surprising the speed of a new release whenever a new virus comes in. I always found that quite a mystery.