The free program, dubbed the Utah Child Protection Registry, also known as the Do-Not-Contact List, was created by the state Legislature in 2004 and implemented in July 2005. People add their e-mail addresses and phone numbers to the list to prohibit companies from sending them adult-oriented advertisements.

Paul Murphy, spokesman for the Utah Attorney General's office, said the registry fulfills an important need. Murphy's office oversees the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and he said he believes the registry is effective.

A tidal wave of spam has been predicted this year as cyber criminals target social networks such as Facebook.

In 2008 there were virtually no Facebook phishing messages. Today Facebook is the second most phished organisation online and, if current trends continue, is on track to take the top spot in 2010, according to a report from a voluntary community of web defenders called Project Honey Pot.

U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the pornography industry challenging the legality of Utah's child protection registry.

The state's registry prohibits the porn industry from contacting children through e-mail or text messages when they or their parents register their contact information on a state Web site.

A lawsuit intended to prohibit an online registry that blocks adult-themed messages from e-mails and cell phones was dismissed Monday, making Utah now one of two states allowing that service.

Despite the ongoing legislation, the list has been operational since its launch in 2005 after another judge denied a 2007 motion to stop the site's use and the court denied an earlier motion to dismiss. Murphy said this latest development was a result of those in the pornography industry "realizing it was a losing battle" and deciding "it wasn't worth fighting anymore."

A lawsuit filed against a registry that blocks pornographic e-mails and texts from going to children has been dropped.

The Free Speech Coalition, which consists of members of the adult-entertainment industry, sued the state in 2005 for violation of free speech after the Legislature created the Utah Child Protection Registry. The Web site allows users to enter phone numbers and e-mail addresses into a do-not-call type of service. Companies that advertise pornography, alcohol, illegal drugs tobacco and gambling are required to screen their messages against the list and remove anyone registered.

"So many states have been waiting for the outcome of this lawsuit, and now I think you're going to see many other states creating such sites," said Paul Murphy, spokesman for the Utah Attorney General's Office.