Alan M. Ralsky and his Michigan-based company Additional
Benefits LLC, considered to be among the most prolific senders of
spam, have settled a lawsuit filed by Verizon last year, according
to the Associated Press. The agreement requires Ralsky to stop
sending unsolicited commercial e-mail to Verizon's 1.64 million
customers in 40 US states.
Under the terms of the agreement, parts of which were kept
confidential, Additional Benefits is permanently barred from
sending bulk e-mail on any of Verizon's networks. The company must
also pay Verizon an undisclosed sum, the Associated Press
reports.
Both Verizon and Ralsky have refused to comment on the
settlement, citing confidentiality agreements.
Verizon sued Ralsky in 2001, alleging that its network was
blocked twice by millions of e-mails sent to its customers by
Additional Benefits' clients. Verizon, which claims that it filed
the suit following consumer complaints, sought to entirely shut
down Ralsky's business in addition to claiming damages of $37
million.
Ralsky has refused any liability, claiming that he never sent
unsolicited e-mails to people who indicated they didn't want
them.
