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Pfizer Files Suit Against Viagra Spammers

Posted by timothy on from the do-it-yourself-createapun dept.

edb points to the Wall Street Journal story (carried at SmartMoney among other places) which begins "Pfizer Inc. (PFE) launched a broad legal offensive and Internet advertising campaign to stanch online commerce in bogus Viagra. The drug maker filed suit in federal district court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan on Monday against three companies and two individuals operating Web sites that allegedly sell fake versions of the popular impotence drug."

12 comments

  1. all I have to say is... by boisepunk · · Score: 2

    *clap*

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    1. Re:all I have to say is... by ForestGrump · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Actually, don't clap yet. Pfizer isn't suing because they were spammers, they are suing cuz they were fraudsters.

      Pfizer is taking the stance that it is OK to spam and move their product onto the market. However,it is not OK to spam with the name V1GRA when you are not selling the real thing.

      Grump.

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      Is it true that more people vote for the winner of American Idol, than vote for the president? -Ali G.
    2. Re:all I have to say is... by MarsDefenseMinister · · Score: 1

      I am very confused. You are implying that there is a difference between spammers and fraudsters. If this is true, then my head will asplode.

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      No weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men.-Ronald Reagan
    3. Re:all I have to say is... by ForestGrump · · Score: 1

      Well, I believe spammers(in general) are mostly people who lack common decency, and should be taken into a grassy field and shot.

      Now, there are spammers who sink to an even lower level. They send out spam, but the junk they sell is either stolen or fake. These are fraudsters. I believe fraudsters should be given a slow painful death...such as being a "prison bitch".

      Grump

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      Is it true that more people vote for the winner of American Idol, than vote for the president? -Ali G.
    4. Re:all I have to say is... by gl4ss · · Score: 4, Informative

      * The suits allege trademark infringement, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices and cyberpiracy under federal and New York laws. In addition, Pfizer sought to seize two dozen Internet domain names that the company says make unauthorized use of the Viagra trademark.*

      they're not actively taking a stance that spamming is good, they just don't care about that part(about _how_ the illeagal marketing of illeagal products was done)..

      what they do care is that these fraudsters are using their product name to sell pirate products to unsuspecting customers.

      I don't think the mentioned online advertising campaign to raise awareness of dangers of fake viagra is going to be spam based, if that's what you were thinking(they mention using google for advertising as one).

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      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    5. Re:all I have to say is... by Andy+Mitchell · · Score: 1

      While I do take your point onboard that Pfizer are not on an anti-spam crusade this is not so bad, they are starting to take seriously what is sent in spams when it damages them.

      It doesn't really matter how spammers are pursued just so long as they find pushing there dubious wares stops being an easy ride. Capone was never convicted for any of his "alleged activities as a gangster", he went down for failing to pay tax on his obviously vast earnings.

      Spammers are, in many cases, nothing but a bunch of criminals and sending spam is just one aspect of their evil. Who cares if they rot in jail or bankrupted by huge fines for tax evasion, fraud or sending spam.

      There are quite a few laws still on the books around the world that no one bothers to prosecute for as they are just plain silly in the modern world. Like:

      • Taxi drivers in London are still required to carry a bail of straw with them at all times
      • In some parts of the USA it is a crime to have sex using any position other than the missionary position.

      You can just see it now....

      Officer: Sir, is this your copy of the Karma Sutra?

      Spammer: Yes.

      Officer: A Geek like you could never find a woman to try these out with

      Spammer: I have!

      Officer: I'm arresting you on suspicion of having performed sexual intercourse in an illegal position.

      Admittedly, using one of those on spammers does raise some civil liberties issues and leaves me a little uncomfortable.

    6. Re:all I have to say is... by PhilHibbs · · Score: 1

      So who have you sued for spamming? Have any other corporations that are entirely unrelated to the internet sued spammers? They have a trademark to protect, so criticizing them for protecting it instead of indulging in activities that are entirely unrelated to their business is ludicrous.

    7. Re:all I have to say is... by kv9 · · Score: 1

      you know youve been reading too much slashdot when youre spelling it karma sutra.

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      Stop Computers/Cars Analogies on S
  2. but.. by schnits0r · · Score: 3, Funny

    I don't buy Viagra, I buy a "V1agr4 Subst1tu7e"!

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  3. Yey for Pfizer! by Maxite · · Score: 1

    I really don't care why Pfizer is pressing suits against the "Viagra spammers." You need a prescription for Viagra, plus using a trademarked name to try and sell people your product which is not the original, is illegal. I hope that the people who are sending out those spams are caught.

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  4. "Hard" time. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Pfizer Files Suit Against Viagra Spammers"

    Yay! I hope they get a *stiff* penalty.

  5. End-User Issues by ryg0r · · Score: 0
    Spam, schmam!

    I bought it and I don't feel any hornier, and my c*ck ain't any bigger!

    Sue the fraudsters!

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    Karma whoring .sigs don't work