System and method to generate complaints of unsolicited emails

Abstract

A system and method to control sending of unsolicited communications over a network is provided. Typically, the network is the Internet and the system defines a SPAM prevention tool for users of an on-line service, such as an on-line bidding service. Users may contact an intended recipient with a contact form, which is forwarded to the recipient's e-mail address by an on-line service provider. A link accessible from a Web site allows recipients of unsolicited e-mail to complain to the on-line service provider. Sanctions are implemented against the sender of unsolicited e-mail based on the frequency of complaints. When the complaint level against a sender reaches a certain threshold, the sender is unable to use the contact form for a predetermined time period.

1 . A method to complain about spam communications over a network, comprising: 
 generating a complaint form responsive to a request to file a complaint against a sender of an unsolicited communication;    associating the complaint with the sender of the unsolicited communication using a user identifier instead of contact information of the sender of the unsolicited communication; and    enforcing a complaint policy against the sender of the unsolicited communication.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring a number of complaints against the sender of the unsolicited communication.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing a notification to be sent to the sender of the unsolicited communication responsive to receiving the complaint.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the notification is sent using the contact information of the sender of the unsolicited communication.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the complaint form is used to classify and describe the complaint.  
   
   
       6 . A system to complain about spam communication over a network, comprising: 
 means for generating a complaint form responsive to a request to file a complaint against a sender of the spam communication;    means for associating the complaint with the sender of the spam communication using a user identifier instead of contact information of the sender of the spam communication; and    means for causing a notification to be sent to the sender of the spam communication.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising means for applying a complaint policy against the sender of the spam communication.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the complaint policy includes a complaint threshold.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising means for applying actions against the sender of the spain communication when the complaint policy is violated.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the actions are related to one or more of warning, rating modification, and suspension.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the complaint form is to include options to classify the complaint and to describe the complaint.  
   
   
       12 . A computer readable medium containing sequences of instructions which are executable by a system, and which, when executed by the system, cause the system to perform a method of complaining about spam communications over a network, comprising: 
 generating a complaint form responsive to a request to file a complaint against a sender of a spam communication;    associating the complaint with the sender of the spam communication using a user identifier instead of contact information of the sender of the spam communication;    monitoring a number of complaints against the sender of the spam communication; and    applying a complaint policy against the sender of the spam communication.    
   
   
       13 . The computer readable medium of  claim 12 , further comprising causing a notification to be sent to the sender of the spam communication when the complaint policy is violated.  
   
   
       14 . The computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the notification is sent using the contact information of the sender of the spam communication.  
   
   
       15 . A system to complain about unsolicited communication over a network, comprising: 
 means for generating a complaint form to receive a complaint from a first member of a network-based system against a second member of the network-based system, the complaint related to a communication initiated by the second member, the communication not related to an item listed for sale by the network; and    means for notifying the second member of the complaint using information associated with a member identifier of the second member.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising means for the first member to associate the complaint with the member identifier of the second member without the first member knowing the contact information of the second member.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising means for applying one or more actions against the second member as a result of the complaint.  
   
   
       18 . A method for complaining about spam communication, comprising: 
 generating a complaint form to receive a complaint from a first member of a network-based system against a second member of the network-based system, the complaint related to a communication initiated by the second member, the communication not related to an item listed for sale by the network-based system; and    notifying the second member of the complaint using information associated with a member identifier of the second member.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising enabling the first member to associate the complaint with the member identifier of the second member without the first member knowing the contact information of the second member.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising applying one or more actions against the second member as a result of the complaint.