Microsoft settles suit against spammer for $7 million News
Microsoft settles suit against spammer for $7 million

[JURIST] Microsoft announced a $7 million settlement [press release] Tuesday of its lawsuit against Scott Richter and his company, once one of the biggest spammers in the world. Last summer Richter's company also paid $50,000 in penalties and costs [NY AG press release; JURIST report] relating to a suit filed in New York by Attorney General Elliott Spitzer. Microsoft agreed to direct $1 million of their settlement to New York [Microsoft open letter] with another $5 million going towards continued efforts to block illegal spam. The settlement is conditioned on the dismissal of pending bankruptcy petitions by Richter's company, with motions to do so expected to be filed today. Richter admitted no wrongdoing as part of the agreement but said his business had made "significant changes" as a result. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.