AOL v. IMS, Gulf Coast Marketing, & TSF

On January 6, 1998 AOL filed suit against three junk e-mail firms in its continuing battle against unsolicited bulk e-mail. According to the suit, the companies sent AOL and its members spam messages advertising get-rich quick schemes, despite AOL's demands that they stop such actions.  The suit also charged that the defendants forged "AOL.com" within their e-mail messages.  This case yielded the first judicial opinion finding that forging "AOL.com" violates federal trademark statues.  The case also found the defendants liabe for actual damages and imposed triple punitive damages, as well as providing AOL injunctive relief and barring the defendants from using the service or sending e-mail to AOL or its members.

More Information

AOL v. IMS, et al. Report and Recommendation

AOL v. IMS, et al. Press Release - 12/21/98

AOL v. IMS, et al. Memorandum Opinion

AOL v. IMS, et al. Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction

AOL v. IMS, et al. Complaint

AOL v. IMS, et al. Press Release - 1/7/98