jedsmith.org

Michelle Sullivan, administrator of the infamous and reviled SORBS e-mail blocklist, is on the record as bragging about the sale of SORBS in a private, invite-only IRC channel.

[08:41:22] <Michelle> Woot! .. SORBS is now owned by GFi Software Development Ltd
[08:42:02] <Michelle> for a cool half a mil

According to Michelle’s LinkedIn profile, she currently works for North Carolina-based GFI Software as an engineering director — beginning sometime last month. GFI is currently displayed on the SORBS site as a sponsor, a decision apparently unpopular among their users.

This information comes on the heels of Michelle announcing the imminent closure of SORBS in July, citing failure of one of the hosts to uphold their contract. This imminent closure never happened, however, even after Michelle touted SORBS for a sale.

SORBS is officially “For Sale” should anyone wish to purchase it as a going concern, but failing that and failing to find alternative hosting for a 42RU rack in the Brisbane area of Queensland Australia SORBS will be shutting down permanently in 28 days, on 20th July 2009 at 12 noon.

Assuming Michelle is referencing Australian dollars, this sale equates to roughly $451,400 USD. GFI, makers of the MailEssentials suite, lists two United States military branches, Coca-Cola, Toyota, and Fujitsu among its customers.

Edit (1:40 p.m.): Another person who witnessed this conversation has come forward and corroborated it — providing timestamps and Michelle’s nickname as well. The source goes on to indicate that Michelle is fairly upset about the information being divulged outside of where it was said.

Edit 2 (3:44 p.m.): Updated slightly and corrected GFi spelling to GFI.