Late Wendsday night, the Utah Legislature was the first in the nation to pass an anti-spyware law. The law is also designed to protect consumers from some unwanted pop-up ads. The bill, sponsored by St. George Republican Representative Steve Urquhart,  was initiated after complaints from a Utah-based contact lense reseller 1-800-CONTACTS.  When users visited the company web page, ads from a different reseller would appear.  Spyware installed on the end-users computer "hijacked" the web page, alleges 1-800-CONTACTS. 

The bill has some Internet businesses concerned that such laws may hamper legitimate Internet business.  Damages of $10,000 per violation are included in the bill, but further work must be done on enforcement procedures.

More coverage of the bill is available at News.com and Deseret Morning News.