Microsoft, Pfizer to Fight Against Viagra Spammers
newsbug, Feb 12, 2005.
Software giant Microsoft and drug maker Pfizer have announced that they will file parallel lawsuits against e-mail spammers and web sites that allegedly sell illegal versions of the popular erectile drug Viagra.
In conjunction with Pfizer's suits against CanadianPharmacy and E-Pharmacy Direct, Microsoft filed civil actions against the spammers advertising for those Web sites.
"Pfizer is joining with Microsoft on these actions as part of our shared pledge to reduce the sale of these products and to fight the senders of unsolicited e-mail that overwhelms people's inboxes," said Jeff Kindler, executive vice president and general counsel at Pfizer.
Echoed Brad Smith, senior vice president and general counsel at Microsoft: "The collaboration between Pfizer and Microsoft is another wake-up call to those who abuse the Internet for illegal purposes."
Some industry reports indicate that Viagra and similar drugs are estimated to account for up to one out of four spam messages.