Spam Blocker scores point for the good guys

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:23 am

As some of you know, I released a phpNuke module last year to help webmasters block unwanted traffic from their sites.

The module used our own blacklist compiled from reports sent to us from users which we had verified ourselves as well as a number of optional third party blacklists.

Today I received an email threatening legal action against me and a demand to withdraw the module from distribution.
I have made it clear to the affronted party that I have no intention of withdrawing the module so I'll keep you posted on the outcome - I'm looking forward to it Smile

Sells PC To Pay For Divorce Joined: Posts: 5661

and from who is the email coming ?

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 5:26 am

Go get 'em Guardian!

Smack

Site Admin Joined: Jun 04, 2004 Posts: 6434

What was the basis for the demand - I mean, what law was broken (criminal) or what damage was done (civil)? I can't imagine it was copyright infringement, so on what other legal grounds could this claim be made? Discrimination? Libel? If so, the most that could be done is requesting that the "innocent" entry be removed from the blacklist.

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:43 am

Keep at it! Smile

All such blacklists have been threatened with legal action one time or another, but they don't follow through. The guys are just trying to intimidate the solutions that are working

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:58 am

The email came from a Mr Kraig Wilford of mchsi.com in which he claims my module is ruining his business - I can only assume that more than phpNuke users are using my blacklist lol.

I have already ported and modified a phpBB MOD for BBtoNuke which utilises the httpBL list from Project Honeypot to allow webmaster to block or ban users from the forum depending on the webmasters pre-set threat level value - its just finding the time to release it.

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 2:15 pm

Sorry may be I'm missing something, but why is it ruining his business?

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:42 pm

Exactly...if he isn't a spammer, he can go through the channel to get removed from the Project Honeypot list.

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:47 pm

All spammers say that.. esp if the blocklist is working! They claim a legit "mass mailing" email service and all attempts to stop them are consorting to anti-business practices. Smile

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 6:05 am

That's what I was thinking, if he's legit then there shouldn't be a problem.

Perhaps someone should invite him to come and discuss it in an open forum. Wink

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:25 am

Quote:

Perhaps someone should invite him to come and discuss it in an open forum

If you decide to do this, please do not do it hear. I am sure Raven doesn't want any of this kind of "attention" (i.e., end up being named in a suit either). Of course, I am sure it is not legit, and even if it was, it would just be another annoyance that he might not want to deal with. JMO though.

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:55 am

It might be too late for that now G has named and shamed him.

If it was me and it is legit I would want to come and defend my honour. JMO Wink

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:37 pm

Oh I am sorry I got in so late on this topic Very Happy

thanks for the laugh though. I am sorry to hear your even having to deal with this Guardian. I wish I was a laywer so I could officially send them a letter of recommendation on where to stick their claims/personal issues.

However if there is anything I can do its up to you to let me know.