Yahoo says settlement should be seen as warning to other 'spammers'
Last Updated Tue, 15 Jun 2004 17:57:54
KITCHENER - A man from Kitchener who was alleged to have sent millions of unsolicited e-mails has made a "six-figure" settlement to end a lawsuit brought against him by internet service provider Yahoo, his lawyer said on Tuesday.
In March, the U.S.-based Yahoo filed a lawsuit against 25-year-old Eric Head, his father and his brother.
IN DEPTH: Spam
In the suit, Yahoo alleged that companies controlled by the Heads had jammed the Yahoo network with millions of unsolicited e-mail messages.
In January 2004 alone, Yahoo alleged that the Heads were responsible for almost 100 million "spam" e-mails.
On Tuesday, lawyer Huey Cotton said Eric Head had settled the lawsuit "without any admissions" of wrongdoing.
Cotton said the terms of the settlement were confidential, but revealed that it included "an obligation on the part of Eric Head to make a six-figure settlement."
Yahoo lawyer Matt Robinson confirmed that the settlement was in the "six-figure range," and said the company was dropping its action against Head's brother and father as a result of the deal.
Head's lawyer also released a statement from the Ontario man.
"I urge everyone who is involved in the commercial bulk e-mail business to cease all operations unless and until you are completely compliant with the requirements of the United States anti-spam laws," the statement said.
"There is no substitute for complete compliance."
Robinson said Head was not required to release the statement as part of the deal, but "we're pleased that he did."
"We certainly applaud his position on asking other bulk e-mailers to comply" with the law, Robinson added.
Cotton says Eric Head has a new career – drumming for a rock band.
Written by CBC News Online staff
