Porn scandal hits US retailer

The largest electronics retailer in Minneapolis is taking two unknown hackers to court for involving it in a porn scam.

Best Buy has filed suit in a US district court against the defendants who used a BestBuy.com email address to send pornographic messages to customers.

The emails, coded to indicate that they were coming from the retailer, linked to pornographic "or otherwise offensive messages, text or materials", none of which were connected to Best Buy's goods and services, the complaint said.

If the company can find the hackers it will sue them for damages exceeding $75,000.

According to the Minneapolis Business Journal, Best Buy will not lose much goodwill from the messages because most consumers understand computer spam.

While some might question the wisdom of suing an unknown hacker who may be outside the country, US legal experts say that the move might help the company locate them.

Armed with a court judgement, Best Buy could approach internet service providers and get information on who was using their servers and when.