Gadgetopia

USATODAY.com - Gates, Microsoft look for ways to zap spam: Microsoft has been floating this “Penny Black” idea of charging spammers for a long time, but it looks like they’re serious about it now

“Software filters would force e-mail from unfamiliar sources to offer money — perhaps 20 cents a message — to get the e-mail to you. You would clearly see in the subject line how much is being offered.

If you chose to open the e-mail, you’d get the money. If the e-mail was from a long lost friend and not an advertiser, you could choose not to accept the payment. “

How long before this turns into a “MICROSOFT WANTS TO TAX YOUR EMAIL!!!!” urban legend?