[Am-info] Microsoft Slap Major Spam Ring With Lawsuits

[Roy Bixler]

On Fri, Dec 19, 2003 at 08:47:19AM -0500, John J. Urbaniak wrote:
> Fred Miller wrote:
> 
> > "Microsoft has been aggressive in the pursuit of spammers. In June, the
> > Redmond, Wash.-based computer giant -- which has its own online service, MSN,
> > and a prime spam target in its Hotmail Web-based e-mail service -- filed 15
> > lawsuits in the U.S. and the U.K. targeting companies it said were spamming
> > MSN and Hotmail users."
> >
> > http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20031218S0008
> 
> A diversionary tactic, I think.  Microsoft wants to equate spam with viruses in
> the minds of the public.

I find it more credible that Microsoft, along with the other big names
like AOL and Yahoo, are trying to clear the way for their own
marketing initiatives.  The thought is that if they can just get rid
of the offensive, illegal and "illegitimate" stuff, then it clears the
way for them to spam the Internet with their "legitimate" marketing.
All of that is specifically allowed for in the YOU-CAN-SPAM act.

> They are not the same thing.  Viruses are largely propagated because of flaws in
> Windows.  Microsoft is directly responsible for these flaws.

True, but Microsoft is also offering a bounty on virus writers.  The
latter is a real deflection on their part because then the discussion
of viruses has no element of any responsibility for creating the
environment which makes it so easy for the viruses to propagate.

> Everybody hates spam, but it's not spread because of flaws or defects in
> Windows.  In coming out against spam, it looks like Microsoft is fighting virus
> propagation, which, of course, it is not.

That may be, but it would be a side effect.  The real intention would
still be to create an environment where "legitimate" spam is
acceptable.  Why else would Microsoft and others lobby Congress so
hard to pass the YOU-CAN-SPAM act?

R.

-- 
Hartley's First Law:
        You can lead a horse to water, but if you can get him to float
on his back, you've got something.