TheGlobe.com settles with MySpace for spamming

Los Angeles (CA) - TheGlobe.com has settled with MySpace for sending bulk e-mails to over 400,000 users, entitling the social networking site to millions of dollars.

MySpace went after TheGlobe.com, an online travel website, after it was discovered that it had set up over 95 fake accounts on MySpace and would send messages in bulk to other random users.

MySpace accused the site of violating the federal CAN-SPAM Act and the California Business & Professions Code. Additionally, MySpace’s own terms and conditions stipulate a penalty for such actions.

"You agree to pay MySpace.com $50 for each ... unsolicited email or other unsolicited communication you send through the MySpace Services," says the legally binding online agreement.

In that case, TheGlobe.com raked up $5.5 million in fines. However, the two sites reached an agreement, the monetary terms of which are confidential. TheGlobe.com also agreed to refrain from using MySpace for "any commercial purpose".

MySpace’s chief security officer said he hopes this precedent "sends a strong message that MySpace will take aggressive steps to stop those who violate the law and damage our members’ experience."