Debitel, a German-based telecoms operator, has been fined a record 2m kroner ($359,000) by a Danish commercial court for bombarding the customers of rival operator Telmore with junk messages touting its services.

In April 2003, Debitel sent 12,000 SMS mobile phone text messages and 36,000 spam emails to subscribers of Telmore, which was being taken over by Danish operator TDC at the time, AFP reports. Consumer mediator Hagen Jörgensen, who filed the complaint against Debitel, said this week's verdict "sends a clear signal" that spam is illegal in Denmark. ®

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