Posted by Virus Bulletin on Oct 27, 2006
First case under spam laws brings hefty punishment.
A company based in Western Australia has been charged A$4.5 million, with another A$1 million levied from its director, after a federal court convicted them under anti-spam laws. The fines total over $4 million US.
Over a 12-month period commencing April 2004, when Australia's 2003 spam regulations came into effect, Perth-based Clarity1 is thought to have sent at least 231 million emails. The campaigns pushed a range of business seminars. The company has been barred from future spam activities.
The case against the company was filed last year by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), charging it with violating the Spam Act 2003. The judge in the case said spam was jeopardising the viability of the Internet, while ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said the heavy fines should send a strong warning to other spammers.
It was the first case to be brought under the 2003 act. A statement from ACMA, including a summary of the anti-spam regulations, is here.
Posted on 27 October 2006 by Virus Bulletin
