Open Relay Behavior-modification System

Open Relay Behavior-modification System (ORBS) was one of the first DNS-based Blackhole List (DNSBL), a means by which an website may publish a list of IP addresses, in a format which can be easily queried by computer programs on the Internet. The ORBS list was used to blacklist IP addresses that were open mail relays, upon which spammers can transmit their messages. [1]

ORBS was controversial because at the time many people felt running an open relay was acceptable, and that scanning the Internet for open mail servers could be abusive. ORBS using probes to test for open relays without permission was one of the most controversial aspects of the system. [2] In some cases the tests interferred with mail servers, causing delays. Another major complaint was that open relays that had never sent spam were listed without notice. Claims of false listings, true or not, were also a problem. [3]

ORBS was created and run by Alan Brown in New Zealand. It was shut down in 2001 due to Brown's health and money issues and two lawsuits brought by companies listed on ORBS, Xtra and Actrix, which he had refused to remove. Brown was forced to sell his Internet service provider, Manawatu Internet Services, to cover expenses. In the end, he agreed that the companies had been listed inappropriately. [4]

Brown also had a defamation lawsuit brought against him, O'Brien v Brown. The court ruled that Brown made defamatory comments about Patrick O'Brien, CEO of Domainz, which is the .nz domain registrar. The comments were made in the Domainz discussion group. When Brown was offered a chance to apologize, he made additional defamatory comments. Following O'Brien's victory and the awarding of $42,000 to him, Brown claimed that his net worth was only $500, which he said is why he did not have a lawyer. [5]