HABEAS_SWE -8.00 score

[Gerry Doris]

On Mon, 2004-01-12 at 13:57, Matt Kettler wrote:
> At 11:26 AM 1/12/2004, Gerry Doris wrote:
> >It seems like the entire internet got hit with the latest viagra habeus
> >forged spam.
> >
> >Personally, I believe the SpamAssassin folks messed up badly by scoring
> >these habeus jokers with a -8.  I've now set the scoring for habeus at 0.
> >They apparently claim they will sue anyone forging their name...I'm afraid
> >if I hold my breath I'm turn blue and die waiting.
>
> Reducing the score to 0 seems reasonable to me, but to call Habeas "Jokers"
> is uncalled for and a grossly uneducated knee-jerk reaction at the absolute
> best.
>
> In 2003, Habeas successfully sued Dale Heller. They also settled with Avalend.
>
> They are no joke whatsoever.. They have, and likely will continue to,
> successfully sue infringers as they pop up.
>
> However, I've always been skeptical of -8 as a score for habeas.. It's a
> bit strong for my liking...
>
>   But then again, that makes it tempting for spammers to try to abuse and
> makes them a fat target for a lawsuit with good success.
>
> Probably the best way to eliminate spammers is to tempt them to do
> something sufficiently illegal that they get sued into the ground or jailed.

Yes, you're correct.  It was uncalled for and a knee-jerk reaction.  A
score of -8 totally caught me by surprise.  I had absolutely no idea it
was there...and I suspect quite a few spammers weren't aware of it
either.

I fully expect to see an onslaught of these now and I'm skeptical that
Hebeas will be able to stem the tide.  However, based on your confidence
in them I'll start holding my breath and see what happens <g>!

--
Gerry Doris <gdoris at rogers.com>