MySpace Wins Against Spammer

NEW YORK — Web marketing company Media Breakaway and its owner Scott Richter must pay $4.8 million to MySpace and additional $1.2 million in legal fees for bombarding MySpace members with unsolicited advertisements.

An arbitrator has ruled also that the company and its employees are also banned from the MySpace website.

In a statement issued by Media Breakaway, the company touted that the arbitration had yielded "95 percent less than the amount demanded."

MySpace and parent company News Corp., accused the Media Breakaway of sending information from members’ accounts whose sign-on information had been “phished” or hijacked.

Media Breakaway countered that independently contracted affiliates had been responsible for the illegal activities.

"MySpace has essentially declared a war on spam and phishing on our site," MySpace's Chief Security Officer Hemanshu Nigam said, adding that the company hoped that the ruling would serve as a deterrent to other illegal spammers.

Richter has been involved in high profile litigations for illegal spamming before, paying penalties to Microsoft Corp. in 2005, as well as the state of New York in 2004.

Steven Richter, Media Breakaway’s president and father of Scott, said that the company has a team of employees to track legal compliance and increased its efforts to remain lawful. Reportedly, the elder Richter said also that the company had misunderstood MySpace’s policy toward commercial advertising.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Roald Riepen Steps Down as CEO of IMC

Roald Riepen, CEO of International Media Company (IMC), is stepping down.

Ofcom Sets Timeline for Enforcing 'Extreme' Content Rules

U.K. media regulator Ofcom plans to begin enforcing new laws criminalizing certain “extreme” adult content online, but will first hold a consultation in early 2027 before providing updated guidance for sites and platforms.

FSC Publishes Guidance on New UK Pornography Laws

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published information for its members on the United Kingdom's recently passed pornography laws, which take effect next week.

Brazil Issues Guide to Digital Safety Compliance

Brazil’s National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) published on Wednesday a new guide outlining online providers’ child-protection responsibilities under the Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents (Digital ECA), which requires adult websites to age-verify users located in Brazil.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for August, September

AEBN has released the list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters, by country, for August and September.

2027 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees Announced for Adult Entertainment Edition

XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the adult entertainment industry edition of the 2027 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Friday, Jan. 8, in conjunction with the XBIZ 2027 event series.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Effective Parenting' Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers with children.

XMA Nominations Party Set for Nov. 17 at Avalon Hollywood

A night that sets the stage for the flagship XMAs, this year’s nominations reveal party will take place at Avalon Hollywood on Tuesday, Nov. 17, with red-carpet arrivals starting at 8 p.m.

BrattyGirls.com Launches Through PAYSITE

Producer Robert Peru has launched his newest membership site, BrattyGirls, through PAYSITE.

Arcom Issues Warnings to 3 Adult Sites Over Age Verification

French media regulator Arcom has issued formal notices to the operators of three adult websites that the agency says have failed to implement age verification as required under French law.

Show More