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."