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ANEXO I: SENTENCIA DEL CASO HOTMAIL
HOTMAIL CORPORATION, Plaintiff,
v.
VAN$ MONEY PIE INC.; ALS Enterprises, Inc.; LCGM, Inc.; Christopher
Moss d/b/a
the Genesis Network, Inc.; Claremont Holdings Ltd.; Consumer Connections;
Palmer & Associates; and Financial Research Group; and Darlene
Snow d/b/a
Visionary Web Creations and/or d/b/a Maximum Impact Marketing, Defendants.
No. C-98 JW PVT ENE, C 98-20064 JW.
United States District Court, N.D. California.
April 16, 1998.
Nicole A. Wong, Hosie, Wes, Sacks & Brelsford, LLP, Menlo Park,
CA, for Plaintiff.
William R. Mitchell, Tustin, CA, LCGM, Madison Heights, MI, Palmer
& Associates, San Diego, CA, Financial Research Group, El Cajon,
CA, James Polyzois, Detroit, MI, Darlene Snow, Mission Viejo, CA,
for Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
WARE, J.
THIS MATTER was submitted on the papers by the Court on the Motion
of plaintiff Hotmail Corporation ("Hotmail") for Preliminary
Injunction to enjoin defendants ALS Enterprises, Inc. ("ALS");
LCGM, Inc. ("LCGM"); Christopher Moss d/b/a Genesis Network
("Moss"); Palmer & Associates ("Palmer");
Financial Research Group ("Financial") and Darlene Snow
d/b/a Visionary Web Creations and/or d/b/a Maximum Impact Marketing
("Snow") from infringing Hotmail's HOTMAIL trade name
and service mark, diluting this mark, engaging in acts of unfair
competition, violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, breaching
a contract, and violating California law. 15 U.S.C. §§
1125(a) & (c); 18 U.S.C. § 1030; Cal. Bus. & Prof.Code
§§ 14330, 17200; Cal. Civ.Code §§ 1709-10; and
3420-22. Having reviewed the entire court record pertaining to this
Motion, and having considered the evidence and argument of counsel
in support of Hotmail's Motion, the Court enters the following Findings
of Fact and Conclusions of Law:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. Plaintiff Hotmail is a Silicon Valley company that provides
free electronic mail ("e-mail") on the World Wide Web.
Hotmail's online services allow its over ten million registered
subscribers to exchange e-mail messages over the Internet with any
other e-mail user who has an Internet e-mail address throughout
the world. Every e-mail sent by a Hotmail subscriber automatically
displays a header depicting Hotmail's domain name "hotmail.com"
and a footer depicting Hotmail's "signature" at the bottom
of the e-mail which reads "Get Your Private, Free Email at
http://www.hotmail.com." Every e-mail received by a Hotmail
subscriber also automatically displays a header depicting Hotmail's
domain name. Thus, plaintiff's HOTMAIL mark--contained within its
domain name and signature--appears on millions of e-mails transmitted
worldwide daily.
2. In or about 1996, Hotmail developed the mark HOTMAIL and obtained
the Internet domain name "hotmail.com" which incorporates
its mark. Hotmail is the sole and exclusive holder of that domain
name.
3. In or about 1996, Hotmail began using its HOTMAIL mark in various
forms and styles, continuously in commerce in association with its
online services as a means of identifying and distinguishing Hotmail's
online services from those of others. Thus Hotmail's mark has appeared
in the headers and footers of e-mail sent from and received by Hotmail
subscribers, on Hotmail's homepage and on nearly every page of its
Website, on letterhead and envelopes, on business cards, in promotional
materials and in press releases.
4. Hotmail has spent approximately $10 million marketing, promoting,
and distributing its services in association with its HOTMAIL mark.
Hotmail does not authorize any other e-mail service provider to
use its HOTMAIL mark, or Hotmail's domain name or signature.
5. "Spam" is unsolicited commercial bulk e-mail akin
to "junk mail" sent through the postal mail. The transmission
of spam is a practice widely condemned in the Internet Community
and is of significant concern to Hotmail.
6. Hotmail has invested substantial time and money in efforts to
disassociate itself from spam and to protect e-mail users worldwide
from receiving spam associated in any way with Hotmail.
7. To become a Hotmail subscriber, one must agree to abide by a
Service Agreement ("Terms of Service") which specifically
prohibits subscribers from using Hotmail's services to send unsolicited
commercial bulk e-mail or "spam," or to send obscene or
pornographic messages. Hotmail can terminate the account of any
Hotmail subscriber who violates the Terms of Service.
8. In or about the Fall of 1997, Hotmail learned that defendants
were sending "spam" e-mails to thousands of Internet e-mail
users, which were intentionally falsified in that they contained
return addresses bearing Hotmail account return addresses including
Hotmail's domain name and thus its mark, when in fact such messages
did not originate from Hotmail or a Hotmail account. Such spam messages
advertised pornography, bulk e-mailing software, and "get-rich-
quick" schemes, among other things.
9. In addition, Hotmail learned that defendants had created a number
of Hotmail accounts for the specific purpose of facilitating their
spamming operations. Such accounts were used to collect responses
to defendants' e-mails and "bounced back" messages in
what amounted to a "drop box" whose contents were never
opened, read or responded to. It was these Hotmail accounts that
were used as return addresses by defendants in lieu of defendants'
actual return addresses when defendants sent their spam e-mail.
10. As a result of the falsified return addresses described above,
Hotmail was inundated with hundreds of thousands of misdirected
responses to defendants' spam, including complaints from Hotmail
subscribers regarding the spam and "bounced back" e-mails
which had been sent by defendants to nonexistent or incorrect e-mail
addresses. This overwhelming number of e-mails took up a substantial
amount of Hotmail's finite computer space, threatened to delay and
otherwise adversely affect Hotmail's subscribers in sending and
receiving e- mail, resulted in significant costs to Hotmail in terms
of increased personnel necessary to sort and respond to the misdirected
complaints, and damaged Hotmail's reputation and goodwill.
11. In particular, Hotmail discovered a spam e-mail message advertising
pornographic material that was sent by ALS. While this spam originated
from ALS and was transmitted through an E-mail Provider other than
Hotmail, ALS falsely designated a real Hotmail e-mail address as
the point of origin. The e-mail address chosen for this purpose
was "geri748@hotmail.com."
12. Hotmail also discovered a number of spam e-mail messages advertising
pornographic material that were sent by LCGM. While these spam e-mails
originated from LCGM and were transmitted through an E-mail Provider
other than Hotmail, LCGM falsely designated a number of real Hotmail
e-mail address as the points of origin. The e-mail addresses chosen
for this purpose were "becky167 @hotmail.com;" "deena54@hotmail.com;"
"marisa104@hotmail.com;" "shelly345 @hotmail.com;"
"sonnie67@hotmail.com;" "ashley_113@hotmail.com;"
"grace44 @hotmail.com;" "jess_59@hotmail.com;"
"kristina17@hotmail.com;" "nellie24 @hotmail.com;"
and, "tyrona56@hotmail.com."
13. Hotmail also discovered a spam e-mail message advertising pornographic
material that was sent by Moss. While this spam originated from
Moss and was transmitted through an E-mail Provider other than Hotmail,
Moss falsely designated a real Hotmail e-mail address as the point
of origin. The e- mail address chosen for this purpose was "rebecca_h19@hotmail.com."
14. Hotmail also discovered a spam e-mail message advertising a
cable descrambler kit that was sent by Palmer. While this spam originated
from Palmer and was transmitted through an E-mail Provider other
than Hotmail, Palmer falsely designated two real Hotmail e-mail
addresses as the points of origin. The e-mail addresses chosen for
this purpose were "kelCA@hotmail.com" and "angiCA@hotmail.com."
15. Hotmail also discovered a spam e-mail message advertising a
service that matches people seeking cash grants that was sent by
Financial. While this spam originated from Financial and was transmitted
through an E-mail Provider other than Hotmail, Financial falsely
designated a real Hotmail e-mail address as the point of origin.
The e-mail address chosen for this purpose was "order_desk66
@hotmail.com."
16. Hotmail also discovered a number of spam e-mail messages advertising
pornography that were sent by Snow. While this spam originated from
Snow and was transmitted through an E-mail Provider other than Hotmail,
Snow falsely designated several real Hotmail e-mail address as the
point of origin. The e-mail addresses chosen for this purpose were
"bettyharris123@hotmail.com;" "annharris123@hotmail.com;"
"cindyharris123@hotmail.com;" "wilmasimpson @hotmail.com;"
"rw3570@hotmail.com;" "rw3560@hotmail.com;"
and, "jw2244 @hotmail.com."
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
Jurisdiction and Venue
17. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331. This Court has supplemental jurisdiction
over the state law claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1367. This Court
has personal jurisdiction over the defendants ALS, LCGM, Moss, Palmer,
Financial, and Snow, who have engaged in business activities in
or directed in California.
18. Venue is proper in this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
1391 because a substantial portion of the events giving rise to
the claims pled herein occurred in this judicial district and defendants
do business in this judicial district.
Standard For Granting Preliminary Injunction
19. The standard for preliminary injunction relief in trademark
infringement cases and related actions is well-settled. Hotmail
must show either: (a) a likelihood of success on the merits and
the possibility of irreparable injury; or (b) the existence of serious
questions going to the merits and the balance of hardships tips
in Hotmail's favor. Apple Computer. Inc. v. Formula Int'l, Inc.,
725 F.2d 521, 523 (9th Cir.1984).
Plaintiff's Legal Claims
20. Hotmail seeks preliminary injunctive relief in this Motion for
false designations of origin, federal and state dilution, violation
of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, state and common law unfair
competition, breach of contract, fraud and misrepresentation, and
trespass to chattel, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §§ 1116, 1125(a)
& (c); 18 U.S.C. § 1030; Cal. Bus. & Prof.Code §§
14330, 17203; and Cal Civ.Code §§ 1709-10.
Plaintiff's Likelihood Of Success On Its Claims
False Designation Of Origin And Unfair Competition
21. The core element of a cause of action for false designation
of origin under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) as well as other unfair
competition is "likelihood of confusion, i.e., whether the
similarity of the marks is likely to confuse customers about the
source of the products." E. & J. Gallo Winery v. Gallo
Cattle Co., 967 F.2d 1280, 1290 (9th Cir.1992); Academy of Motion
Picture Arts & Sciences v. Creative House Promotions, Inc.,
944 F.2d 1446, 1454 (9th Cir.1991).
22. Courts will consider the following factors, among others, as
relevant to a determination of the likelihood of confusion for claims
under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) and related other unfair competition
claims: (a) strength or weakness of plaintiff's mark; (b) the degree
of similarity with defendant's mark; (c) class of goods; (d) marketing
channels used; (e) evidence of actual confusion; and (f) intent
of the defendant. Americana Trading Inc. v. Russ Berrie & Co.,
966 F.2d 1284, 1287 (9th Cir.1992). However, there is not a mandated
test for likelihood of confusion applied by the courts in this Circuit,
and the appropriate time for full consideration of all relevant
factors is when the merits of the case are tried. Apple Computer,
725 F.2d at 526.
23. The majority of these factors supports a finding that Hotmail
is likely to succeed on the merits of its claims that defendants'
use of the HOTMAIL mark is likely to cause consumer confusion or
mistake as to the origin, sponsorship, or approval of defendants'
spam e-mails and spam e-mail business, and that there are at least
serious questions going to the merits of plaintiff's claims.
24. Plaintiff's mark is strong. The "strength" of a mark
depends in part on whether it is arbitrary or fanciful, suggestive,
merely descriptive, or generic. Chronicle Pub. Co. v. Chronicle
Publications, Inc., 733 F.Supp. 1371, 1375 (N.D.Cal.1989). In addition,
a company's "extensive advertising, length of time in business,
public recognition, and uniqueness" all strengthen its trademarks.
Century 21 Real Estate Corp. v. Sandlin, 846 F.2d 1175, 1179 (9th
Cir.1988). While the second part of the mark--"mail"--may
be suggestive by conveying some aspect of the e-mail process, the
mark as a whole is arbitrary and fanciful because it neither describes
nor suggests that Hotmail is a provider of electronic mail as a
Web-based service on the Internet. Moreover, plaintiff has spent
substantial sums of money to advertise and market its services in
association with the mark and has extensively featured the mark
in its promotions.
25. Defendants' "mark" is not only confusingly similar
to plaintiff's mark, it is identical to it. A comparison of defendants'
and plaintiff's uses shows such striking similarity that a jury
could not help but find that defendants' use is confusing. Indeed,
there has been actual confusion among consumers regarding the marks.
This factor alone may be determinative. See E. Remy Martin &
Co., S.A. v. Shaw-Ross International Imports, Inc., 756 F.2d 1525,
1529, 1530 (11th Cir.1985) (it is "well-settled" that
"evidence of actual confusion is not necessary to a finding
of likelihood of confusion, although it is the best such evidence;"
indeed, "a sufficiently strong showing of likelihood of confusion
may be itself constitute a showing of substantial likelihood of
prevailing on the merits and/or a substantial threat of irreparable
harm"); World Carpets, Inc. v. Dick Littrell's New World Carpets,
438 F.2d 482, 489 (5th Cir.1971) ( "[t]here can be no more
positive or substantial proof of likelihood of confusion than proof
of actual confusion").
26. The class of goods and services distributed by defendants--e-mails--
which bear a mark identical to plaintiff's, are the same as the
class of goods and services distributed by plaintiff--e-mails.
27. The marketing channels through which the parties sell their
goods and services are the same--via e-mail over the Internet. Their
consumer audience is likewise the same. Moreover, because e-mail
is specifically designed for the rapid exchange of information,
consumers are unlikely to exercise a great deal of care in distinguishing
between marks on e-mails they receive.
28. Defendants' intent further supports possible confusion. Levi
Strauss & Co. v. Blue Bell, 632 F.2d 817, 822 (9th Cir.1981);
Pacific Telesis Group v. International Telesis Communications, 994
F.2d 1364, 1369 (9th Cir.1993). Here, the evidence supports an inference
that defendants intended to emulate plaintiff's trademark, given
their knowing falsification of e-mail return addresses, their fraudulent
creation of Hotmail mailboxes, as well as their attempts to circumvent
plaintiff's efforts to prevent its subscribers from receiving spam.
Dilution
29. The core elements of a cause of action under the federal dilution
statute are plaintiff's ownership of a famous mark and dilution
of the distinctive quality of plaintiff's mark, regardless of whether
consumers are confused about the parties' goods. 15 U.S.C. §
1125(c)(1). Under the California dilution statute as well, actual
injury or likelihood of confusion need not be shown; plaintiff need
only show its business reputation is likely to be injured or the
distinctive value of its mark is likely to be diluted. Cal. Bus.
& Prof.Code § 14330; Academy, 944 F.2d at 1457.
30. In determining whether a mark is distinctive and famous so
as to support a claim for federal dilution, the Court has considered
the following factors; (a) the degree of inherent or acquired distinctiveness
of the mark; (b) the duration and extent of use of the mark in connection
with the goods or services with which the mark is used; (c) the
duration and extent of advertising and publicity of the mark; (d)
the geographical extent of the trading area in which the mark is
used; (e) the channels of trade for the goods or services with which
the mark is used; (f) the degree of recognition of the mark in the
trading areas and channels of trade used by the mark's owner and
the person against whom the injunction is sought; and (g) the nature
and extent of use of the same or similar marks by third parties.
15 U.S.C. § 1125(c)(1).
31. Under California's anti-dilution statute, the plaintiff need
only show the "[l]ikelhihood of injury to business reputation
or of dilution of the distinctive quality of a mark." Cal.
Bus. & Prof.Code § 14330.
32. Here, the evidence supports a finding that plaintiff will likely
prevail on its federal and state dilution claims and that there
are at least serious questions going to the merits of these claims.
First, there is sufficient evidence to lead to a finding that plaintiff's
trademark is "famous" within the meaning of 15 U.S.C.
§ 1125(c)(1) and also that it is entitled to state dilution
protection. Plaintiff's mark is distinctive, has been advertised
and used extensively both nationally and internationally in connection
with plaintiff's services, and has established considerable consumer
recognition. Moreover, the use of identical marks by defendants
who are sending e-mails to thousands of e-mail users across the
country and the world through identical trade channels threatens
to dilute the distinctiveness of plaintiff's trademark and threatens
to harm plaintiff's business reputation.
Violation Of Computer Fraud And Abuse Act
33. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act prohibits any person from knowingly
causing the transmission of information which intentionally causes
damage, without authorization, to a protected computer. 18 U.S.C.
§ 1030.
34. The evidence supports a finding that plaintiff will likely
prevail on its Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claim and that there
are at least serious questions going to the merits of this claim
in that plaintiff has presented evidence of the following: that
defendants knowingly falsified return e-mail addresses so that they
included, in place of the actual sender's return address, a number
of Hotmail addresses; that such addresses were tied to Hotmail accounts
set up by defendants with the intention of collecting never- to-be-read
consumer complaints and "bounced back" e-mails; that defendants
knowingly caused this false information to be transmitted to thousands
of e- mail recipients; that defendants took this action knowing
such recipients would use the "reply to" feature to transmit
numerous responses to the fraudulently created Hotmail accounts,
knowing thousands of messages would be "bounced back"
to Hotmail instead of to defendants, and knowing that numerous recipients
of defendants' spam would e-mail complaints to Hotmail; that defendants
took such actions knowing the risks caused thereby to Hotmail's
computer system and online services, which include risks that Hotmail
would be forced to withhold or delay the use of computer services
to its legitimate subscribers; that defendants' actions caused damage
to Hotmail; and that such actions were done by defendants without
Hotmail's authorization.
Breach Of Contract
35. The evidence supports a finding that plaintiff will likely prevail
on its breach of contract claim and that there are at least serious
questions going to the merits of this claim in that plaintiff has
presented evidence of the following: that defendants obtained a
number of Hotmail mailboxes and access to Hotmail's services; that
in so doing defendants agreed to abide by Hotmail's Terms of Service
which prohibit using a Hotmail account for purposes of sending spam
and/or pornography; that defendants breached their contract with
Hotmail by using Hotmail's services to facilitate sending spam and/or
pornography; that Hotmail complied with the conditions of the contract
except those from which its performance was excused; and that if
defendants are not enjoined they will continue to create such accounts
in violation of the Terms of Service.
Fraud And Misrepresentation
36. The cause of action for fraud includes willfully deceiving another
with intent to induce him to alter his position to his injury or
risk by asserting, as a fact, that which is not true, by one who
has no reasonable ground for believing it to be true; or by suppressing
a fact, by one who is bound to disclose it, or who gives information
of other facts which are likely to mislead for want of communication
of that fact; or by making a promise without any intention of performing
it. Civ.Code §§ 1709-10.
37. The evidence supports a finding that plaintiff will likely prevail
on its fraud and misrepresentation claim and that there are at least
serious questions going to the merits of this claim in that plaintiff
has presented evidence of the following: that defendants fraudulently
obtained a number of Hotmail accounts, promising to abide by the
Terms of Service without any intention of doing so and suppressing
the fact that such accounts were created for the purpose of facilitating
a spamming operation, and that defendants' fraud and misrepresentation
caused Hotmail to allow defendants to create and use Hotmail's accounts
to Hotmail's injury. In addition, the evidence supports a finding
that defendants' falsification of e-mails to make it appear that
such messages and the responses thereto were authorized to be transmitted
via Hotmail's computers and stored on Hotmail's computer system--when
defendants knew that sending such spam was unauthorized by Hotmail--constitutes
fraud and misrepresentation, and that Hotmail relied on such misrepresentations
to allow the e-mails to be transmitted over Hotmail's services and
to take up storage space on Hotmail's computers, to Hotmail's injury.
Trespass To Chattel
38. "Trespass to chattel ... lies where an intentional interference
with the possession of personal property has proximately caused
injury." Thrify-Tel, Inc. v. Bezenek, 46 Cal.App.4th 1559,
1566, 54 Cal.Rptr.2d 468 (1996).
39. The evidence supports a finding that plaintiff will likely
prevail on its trespass to chattel claim and that there are serious
questions going to the merits of this claim in that plaintiff has
presented evidence of the following: that the computers, computer
networks and computer services that comprise Hotmail's e-mail system
are the personal property of Hotmail; that defendants obtained consent
to create Hotmail accounts within the limitations set forth in the
Terms of Service: no spamming and no pornography; that defendants
intentionally trespassed on Hotmail's property by knowingly and
without authorization creating Hotmail accounts that were used for
purposes exceeding the limits of the Terms of Service; that defendants
trespassed on Hotmail's computer space by causing tens of thousands
of misdirected e-mail messages to be transmitted to Hotmail without
Hotmail's authorization, thereby filling up Hotmail's computer storage
space and threatening to damage Hotmail's ability to service its
legitimate customers; and that defendants' acts of trespass have
damaged Hotmail in terms of added costs for personnel to sort through
and respond to the misdirected e-mails, and in terms of harm to
Hotmail's business reputation and goodwill.
Irreparable Harm To Plaintiff
40. In cases where trademark infringement is shown, irreparable
harm is presumed. Apple Computer, 725 F.2d at 525; Charles Schwab
& Co. v. Hibernia Bank, 665 F.Supp. 800, 812 (N.D.Cal.1987).
41. Plaintiff has suffered and, if defendants are not enjoined,
will continue to suffer irreparable harm from the distribution,
promotion and use of e-mails bearing plaintiff's mark--particularly
spam e-mails, some of which advertise pornography--because of the
loss of goodwill and reputation arising from customer confusion
about the source of defendants' spam e-mails and/or plaintiff's
affiliation or sponsorship of them. This kind of harm is not easily
quantified and not adequately compensated with money damages. Plaintiff
thus has no adequate remedy at law.
Balance Of Hardships
42. The Court finds that the irreparable harm to plaintiff should
injunctive relief not be granted outweighs any injury to defendants
resulting from a temporary injunction. Plaintiff has introduced
evidence that it has been involved in extensive distribution and
promotion of its online services in association with its mark for
years and has expended vast amounts of time and money developing
and promoting its mark. Plaintiff also is a service mark owner entitled
to avoid having its reputation and goodwill placed in jeopardy.
In contrast, if enjoined, defendants would not suffer harm in that
they would be free to continue advertising by means of e-mail so
long as they did not use Hotmail's mark or services to facilitate
such advertising. Thus, the balance of hardships strongly tips in
favor of plaintiff.
Conclusion
43. The Court therefore concludes that plaintiff is entitled to
a preliminary injunction on the grounds that plaintiff is likely
to succeed on the merits, that there is a possibility of irreparable
injury, that there are serious questions going to the merits, and
that the balance of hardships tips sharply in plaintiff's favor.
It is therefore,
ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:
That defendants ALS, LCGM, Moss, Palmer, Financial, and Snow, their
officers, agents, co-conspirators, servants, affiliates, employees,
parent and subsidiary corporations, attorneys and representatives,
and all those in privity or acting in concert with defendants are
temporarily and preliminarily enjoined and restrained during the
pendency of this action from directly or indirectly:
1. Using any images, designs, logos or marks which copy, imitate
or simulate Hotmail's HOTMAIL mark, and/or Hotmail's "hotmail.com"
domain name for any purpose, including but not limited to any advertisement,
promotion, sale or use of any products or services;
2. Performing any action or using any images, designs, logos or
marks that are likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, to deceive,
or to otherwise mislead the trade or public into believing that
Hotmail and defendants, or any of them, are in any way connected,
or that Hotmail sponsors defendants; or that defendants, or any
of them, are in any manner affiliated or associated with or under
the supervision or control of Hotmail, or that defendants and Hotmail
or Hotmail's services are associated in any way.
3. Using any images, designs, logos or marks or engaging in any
other conduct that creates a likelihood of injury to the business
reputation of Hotmail or a likelihood of misappropriation and/or
dilution of Hotmail's distinctive mark and the goodwill associated
therewith;
4. Using any trade practices whatsoever, including those complained
of herein, which tend to unfairly compete with or injure Hotmail,
its business and/or the goodwill appertaining thereto;
5. Sending or transmitting, or directing, aiding, or conspiring
with others to send or transmit, electronic mail or messages bearing
any false, fraudulent, anonymous, inactive, deceptive, or invalid
return information, or containing the domain "hotmail.com,"
or otherwise using any other artifice, scheme or method of transmission
that would prevent the automatic return of undeliverable electronic
mail to its original and true point of origin or that would cause
the e-mail return address to be that of anyone other than the actual
sender;
6. Using, or directing, aiding, or conspiring with others to use,
Hotmail's computers or computer networks in any manner in connection
with the transmission or transfer of any form of electronic information
across the Internet, including, but not limited to, creating any
Hotmail e-mail account, or becoming a Hotmail subscriber, for purposes
other than those permitted by Hotmail's Terms of Services, including
but not limited to, for purposes of participating in any way in
sending spam e-mail or operating a spamming business, or sending
or advertising or promoting pornography and/or sending e- mails
for any commercial purpose.
7. Opening, creating, obtaining and/or using, or directing, aiding,
or conspiring with others to open, create, obtain and/or use, any
Hotmail account or mailbox;
8. Acquiring or compiling Hotmail member addresses for use in the
transmission of unsolicited promotional messages to those Hotmail
members; and,
9. Sending or transmitting, or directing, aiding, or conspiring
with others to send or transmit, any unsolicited electronic mail
message, or any electronic communication of any kind, to or through
Hotmail or its members without prior written authorization.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:
That plaintiff shall provide a bond in the amount of only $100.
Gontzal Gallo.
gontzalgallo@delitosinformaticos.com
Especialista Derecho Nuevas Tecnologías.
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