The Email Wars

I love the fact that AOL is turning around and giving away an H2 and $100,000 that they got as a settlement from a prolific spammer. It reminds me a lot of the great WW2 Movie Kelly’s Heros where they went back behind enemy lines to grab the old german loot stashed behind.

To the conqueors go the spoils.

Here is my big question though… so you need toi sign up to win, and what is AOL going to do with all these email addresses (legally harvested)? They are going to market to you of course.

Why is AOL on the brink of giving away a fully loaded Hummer H2 and nearly $100,000 worth of gold bars and cash–all of which once belonged to an e-mail marketer?

Both AOL members and non-members–all of whom will have a chance to win the goods–can thank the Can-Spam Act.

The law, which has not gone without criticism, not only arms Internet service providers with legal weapons against those who fire off unsolicited e-mail, it also allows courts to seize any property that a convicted spammer has obtained using money made through the offense. Any equipment, software, or technology used for illicit purposes is also fair game.

AOL obtained the goods as part of a settlement earlier this year in the first lawsuit it filed under the Can-Spam Act, in a case involving a then-20-year-old New Hampshire resident.

From Wednesday until Aug. 19, people can sign up online for a chance at winning the goods. A winner will be announced shortly after the enrollment period ends.

http://news.com.com/This+spammers+stash+could+be+yours/2100-7350_3-5826897.html?part=rss&tag=5826897&subj=news