Nigel Roberts sued Media Logistics UK, a marketing company, after receiving a number of e-mail advertisements about starting a fax broadcasting business and a contract car firm. The advertisers used Media Logistics to spread their messages to Internet users.

The case's outcome could prompt more individuals to go after companies that use e-mail for marketing messages without opt-in permission from users.

Winning Case

Media Logistics has to pay only a minor amount, since Roberts limited his monetary damages in order for the case to be heard in small claims court.

The choice of that court ensured that the case would go through the system faster and not require extensive, costly legal assistance for Roberts.

Although Media Logistics does not have to pay a large amount in damages, the case is already being heralded as a win for everyone who has tired of spam, and is expected to inspire more litigation in the coming year.

The decision for Roberts comes three years after the European Union passed a directive on privacy and telecommunication that prohibited spam. The case is believed to be the first successful prosecution of its kind in Europe.

See You in Court

In the U.S., a number of high-profile cases have also worked to limit spam's reach. Microsoft in particular has been aggressive in taking spammers to court, with the cooperation of state authorities.

Last July, for example, Microsoft and Massachusetts shut down a major spam operation and targeted them for prosecution.

With actions like those, as well as more court cases globally, there is hope that spam can at least be reduced, according to Microsoft's Internet safety enforcement attorney Aaron Kornblum.

"The amount of spam coming from some individuals, or a spam ring, can be staggering," he said. "If these people in particular are sued, and their operations shut down, the effect would be considerable."