President George Bush signed legislation Monday giving the Federal Trade Commission the authority to begin enforcing the National Do Not Call Registry.

Starting Wednesday, telemarketing companies could be slapped with an $11,000 fine if they call you after you put your name on the registry.

The registry allows consumers to block telemarketing calls by registering their home and mobile telephone numbers at www.donotcall.gov. It is free and will be effective for five years.

Despite two court cases last week filed against the FTC declaring the registry a violation of the First Amendment, Bush went ahead with the legislation. He stated in a CNN.com report that the legislation will cut down on “intrusive, annoying, unwelcome telephone solicitations.”

Those against the registry argue that it violates the First Amendment because it does not apply equally to all types of free speech. The registry Web site said the list does not apply to political organizations, charities or telephone surveyors. In addition, companies that have had a business relationship with a consumer within the past 18 months still may make calls. Only commercial telemarketing calls are banned to every phone number on the list.

Kristen Fabbri, a sophomore undeclared business major, said she was aware of the registry, but won’t be signing up.

“I use my cell phone as my main phone and don’t receive telemarketing calls on that line,” Fabbri said.

The FTC will begin enforcing the registry Wednesday for consumers who registered before Aug. 31. If consumers registered Sept. 1 or later, telemarketers have three months from the date you registered to stop calling.

If consumers don’t want to register at the national registry, the registry site states that consumers still can prohibit telemarketers.

As telemarketers make phone calls to you, you can ask them to put you on their company’s do not call list, which will prohibit further calls.

The registry is managed by the FTC, and enforced by the Federal Communications Commission and state law enforcement officials.

Don Henderson, director of student legal assistance, said the law may affect business operations or students who work for a telemarketing business.