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Court victory could be spam stopper in the UK

By Derek Sooman

On December 28, 2005, 8:25 AM

Nigel Roberts was so frustrated with Media Logistics UK's failure to respond with requested information and damages after the company spammed him, he decided to pursue the matter in a Colchester small claims court under a new anti-spamming law, the Directive on Privacy and Telecommunications. This new law enables individuals to claim damages against the distributors of unwanted emails. He won the case, and although the amount awarded to him was relatively small (£270 damages and a £30 claim fee), legal experts say much higher sums could be awarded in higher courts. This case could lead the way to spam being cut down or even eliminated.

"This case does provide a guideline when it comes to successfully claiming damages from spammers," Nigel Roberts said. "It also shows that wherever they are they can be held responsible for sending spam to anyone living in a British Isles jurisdiction.

"This may be a tiny victory, but perhaps now spammers will begin to realise that people don't have to put up with their email inboxes being filled with unwanted junk."

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5 comments

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  1. December 28, 2005 12:34 PM
    asphix said:
    this is great news! I dont live in the UK, but the start of things like this will only foreshadow great things in the future. It may be a small winnings but its more the point that matters from winning the case rather than the actual compensation!Seems lately there has been a lot of great news regarding consumer benefit!
    Reply
  2. December 28, 2005 1:01 PM
    mentaljedi said:
    I live in the Uk! This is great news! YES!!! This is the best i've heard all week! Now, which company to sue. Oh the choices!
    Reply
  3. December 28, 2005 1:23 PM
    phantasm66 said:
    Imagine you are a company and you have to give £300 to everyone that you spammed.
    Reply
  4. December 28, 2005 1:51 PM
    Bartzy said:
    phantasm66, don't you think it's impossible that every one get spammed will sue the spammers ?So someone won £300. Big deal. Spam was and will be a great way of companies advertising themselves and their products, even if it's not legal. Spam will continue growing unless all of us will do something radical.By the way, why spam in our letter box is fine, but if we find spam in our E-Mails it gets on our nerves?
    Reply
  5. December 28, 2005 3:30 PM
    firebirdbandit said:
    Spam needs to be treated like sales phone calls were. Make a universal no spam list that is protected by law. Find otherways to advertise.
    Reply

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