Liability, awards & settlements

9. 8, email spam, settlement

US: Microsoft has settled its lawsuit with “King of Spam” Scott Richter, with Richter promising to pay the software giant $7mn for sending an estimated 38bn emails a year. Richter and his online marketing company, OptInBig.com, will pay the sum to settle a lawsuit brought against Richter in December 2003. He and his affiliates have also agreed to comply with US federal anti-spam laws and stop sending spam to anyone who does not opt in to receive marketing e-mails. The settlement depends on the dismissal of bankruptcy cases filed by Richter and his company earlier this year. Richter has freely admitted to sending large volumes of unsolicited e-mail and has cheerfully embraced the title of “Spam King”. But he has denied breaking any laws, saying his company operated within US regulations including last year's CAN-SPAM Act.