Wireless Spammer Pays

Verizon Wireless (“Verizon”), a large US-based wireless data provider, recently obtained a permanent injunction and default judgment against Specialized Programming and Marketing LLC (“Specialized”) and its owner, Charles Henderson. Specialized and Charles Henderson were ordered to pay over $200,000.00 in damages based on claims that they sent almost 100,000 unsolicited text messages to Verizon customers offering them a prize vacation. The lawsuit against Specialized and Charles Henderson was initially filed in October 2005 against Passport Holidays, a Florida-based wholesale distributor of travel packages. However, in February 2006, Passport Holidays reached a settlement with Verizon and named Specialized and Charles Henderson as those directly responsible for sending the spam messages.

Individuals and corporations sending spam to US wireless phone customers using “auto-dialing” equipment and deceptive means to mask the source of such messages can be found in violation of the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

This entry first appeared in the March 8, 2007 edition of lawsof.com. For additional information, click here.