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Anti-spam crusaders slapped with $11.7m judgement

Spamhaus unfazed by 'unenforceable' ruling

By John Leyden • Get more from this author

Posted in Software & Security, 15th September 2006 12:20 GMT

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A US court has ordered anti-spam organisation Spamhaus to pay $11.7m in damages for "illegally" listing email marketing firm e360insight as an affiliate of a known spammer, an entry that meant users of Spamhaus's mail filtering advisory system would not have received email from e360insight. The Illinois court also imposed an injunction on Spamhaus against interfering with e360insight's email marketing activities without sufficient evidence in future.

UK-based Spamhaus said the default ruling against it in the US court is unenforceable. It continues to maintain that its "blacklisting" of e360insight is correct.

In a statement, e360insight said the court's ruling vindicates its position that Spamhaus.org is a "fanatical, vigilante organization that operates in the United States with blatant disregard for US law". It added that the ruling clearly "establishes the validity of e360insight's legitimate business practices as a responsible, opt-in marketer".

Spamhaus disputes this point and argues that David Linhardt, the principle driving force behind e360insight, should re-file his case in the proper venue, a British court. Linhardt ought to known that British courts "do not accept US-style 'SLAPP' suits and impose penalties for lying to the court," it added.

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e360insight Vs Spamhaus

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