[In the message entitled "Spam Police" on Jan 30, 15:03, Ivan Pope writes:]
>
> What I meant was, do you try and stop people _sending mail back to_ Direct
> Mail users? Because that's what the effect of blackholing companies for
> having a 'drop-box' used by a 'spammer' is.
You are confused.
> So, does anyone stand outside the offices of a Direct Mail company and try
> to stop the post being delivered? Or burn their offices down to stop all
> their business? Or threaten to burn them down unless they change their way
> of doing business? Because, that's the effect of the Vixie RBL system - its
> blackmail.
No one involved with the RBL burns buildings down (at least as far as I
know). No one threatens to burn buildings down. No network, and no isp is
forced to use the RBL. No blackmail is involved, as no payment is extracted
from anyone who is is on the RBL to get off.
The RBL is a tool which ISPs and networks can use _at their choice_ to
protect their systems. Using your analogy, it permits companies to say
"Please mark that letter from the Direct Mail company as undeliverable, and
return it to the sender - we don't want it."
When addresses are listed on the RBL that permit "safe haven" for spammers,
it is in response to a spammer using those resources. As a network operator,
you have a choice in providing access to spammers. And as a network
operator, I have a choice in communicating with your network. I choose
not to communicate with networks that have poor policies. It's even
in my peering agreement.
> If you did it with the post you'd get arrested.
> There is an issue of free speech here btw.
> Ivan
Rubbish - I do that with my postal mail regularly (mark things as
return to sender) and I've yet to be questioned, let alone arrested.
As has been demonstrated in the past, your 'right' to 'free speech'
does not permit you to come in to my office, and run off 1000 copies of
your advertisment on my photocopier, using my paper, and then ask my
staff if they would mind distributing it, as you are far too busy.
The RBL also does not stop the "Direct Mail" companies from receiving
mail from people that they wish to receive mail from. Some companies
using the RBL do use it to block some or all access to addresses on
the RBL - but that is by *their* choice.
--
Dave Rand
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.bungi.com
