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'Spam King' Owes MySpace $6M

Social networking site wins another multi-million suit against spammers

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 17, 2008 9:36 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A Colorado company accused of spamming must pay MySpace $6 million in damages and legal fees after an arbitrator ruled for the social networking site, the AP reports. Media Breakaway and its CEO, aka the "Spam King," were accused of using hijacked or "phished" accounts to send millions of advertising messages to MySpace members. The site has banned the company and its employees.

"MySpace has essentially declared a war on spam and phishing on our site," said the chief security officer. The amount awarded is puny compared to the $230 million MySpace won in another spam lawsuit last month, and only a fraction of the amount MySpace sought, but the company hopes the suit will put more pressure on spammers. Media Breakaway said it had misunderstood MySpace's rules.

MySpace said the judgment was another victory in its continued 'zero tolerance' war on spammers and phishers.
MySpace said the judgment was another victory in its continued 'zero tolerance' war on spammers and phishers.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)
SonicWALL statistics show growth in the volume of spam, virus and phishing attacks, increased use of PDF spam and continual evolution of new ways to circumvent anti-spam solutions.
SonicWALL statistics show growth in the volume of spam, virus and phishing attacks, increased use of PDF spam and continual evolution of new ways to circumvent anti-spam solutions.   (AP Photo)
MySpace won $230 million in a suit against Sanford Wallace, president of Cyber Promotions, last month.
MySpace won $230 million in a suit against Sanford Wallace, president of Cyber Promotions, last month.   (AP Photo/Dan Loh)
Cans of Spam line the shelves at a store in Berlin, Vt., Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
Cans of Spam line the shelves at a store in Berlin, Vt., Tuesday, May 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
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Arbitrator finds against Colorado company
Denver Post

Spammers target social networking
vnunet

 
social networking • MySpace • spam • lawsuit • phishing • Media Breakaway

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