Jed Smith is reporting that SORBS has been purchased by GFI Software for “for a cool half a mil”.

Not being one to sit idly by, I went for comment directly to GFI. Here is their response, sent via David Kelleher, GFI’s PR Manager:

GFI Software, a leading infrastructure provider, has acquired SORBS, one of the premier anti-spam reputation services on the Internet.

GFI currently uses SORBS in GFI MailEssentials, and so there is instant synergy with this strategic move.

GFI is now actively developing plans for the future of SORBS, including SORBS 2.0 and methods to improve SORBS data and responsiveness.

Having a reputation service within GFI will allow us to provide a better service to our customers and to greatly enhance our standing in the anti-spam community as well as give us opportunities to report on spam trends and analyze real-time feeds in ways we have not previously been able to. We are very excited about this acquisition and look forward to the benefits in the months and years to come.

The creator of SORBS, Michelle Sullivan, has joined the company.

GFI Software

C-27 Canada’s Electronic Commerce Protection Act passes Committee Review

Bill C-27 passed an important milestone on Monday October 26, at 17:30 when it passed clause-by-clause committee review and was referred back to the Canadian House of Commons materially intact and without controversial amendments that would have significantly altered the bill.

CAUCE board members followed the proceedings intently, and are very pleased with the results thus far.

The bill faces a third and final reading in the house, before being sent to Senate, where it will face two more readings and votes, a committee review, and another final reading and vote.

It is expected to become law in Canada by the end of 2009.

Thanks for the update, Neil.