Spam company settles for damages
28 Dec 05
Junk emails fall foul of Europe-based regulations
A Stirlingshire-based company that sends out "spam" emails will have to pay damages under European regulations directed against unwanted marketing messages.
Media Logistics (UK) Ltd was sued in Colchester County Court by Nigel Roberts, who runs an internet business from the Channel Islands, after he received unwanted email advertisements sent by Media Logistics, which is incorporated in England. He claimed under regulations implementing the EU Directive on Privacy and Telecommunications, which attempts to counter the nuisance caused by the huge quantities of spam messages sent out by providing a right to damages.
Mr Roberts, whose small claim was acknowledged but undefended, accepted £270 damages plus his claim fee in an out of court settlement. He described his case as a tiny victory but one that showed spammers that people did not have to put up with their inboxes being filled in this way.