Verizon Wireless said Monday that it has won a permanent injunction
against a company it accused of sending text message spam, a
significant step in keeping the unsolicited messages off cell phones.
In the judgment, Specialized Programming and Marketing and its
owner, Charles Henderson, are prohibited from sending text message spam
to Verizon Wireless customers. They are also required to pay damages in
excess of $200,000. Verizon Wireless filed the suit after nearly
100,000 text messages were sent to Verizon Wireless customers offering
them a prize vacation for a cruise to the Bahamas.
Initially, Verizon Wireless filed the suit against Passport Holidays
in October 2005 in U.S. District Court in Trenton, N.J. The mobile
operator won a permanent injunction against Passport Holidays in
February 2006 to stop the company from sending further spam. Passport
also was required to pay $10,000 in damages to Verizon Wireless.
During litigation, Passport Holidays named Specialized Programming
and Marketing and Henderson as the company and individual that actually
sent the spam that formed the basis for the suit. In February 2006,
Verizon Wireless filed an amended complaint naming Specialized
Programming and Marketing and Henderson. This latest decision brings
the case to a conclusion, Verizon Wireless said.
5:43:47 PM 
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