<p>If the British Columbia lawsuit against Google for its data mining of Gmail is successful, it has the potential to make anti-spam and anti-virus software that scans emails illegal.</p><p>Similar cases have been launched in the United States, where Eric Goldman, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law and director of the High Tech Law Institute, has characterized them as "are-you-kidding-me," lawsuits.</p><p>"If electronic scrutiny of private email constitutes an interception then all anti-spam software violates that as wellthe same probably with virus checkers," Goldman said when I contacted him about the case filed yesterday in BC Supreme Court.</p><p>"In the US I consider similar lawsuits to be dead on arrival," Goldman said. "They have no merit. I can't speak to Canadian laws."</p><p><a href="http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2012/10/05/gmail-and-privacy-could-canadian-class-action-lawsuit-threaten-anti-spam-software/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Google+faces+potential+class+action+over+privacy+concerns/7351029/story.html">Google faces potential class-action over privacy concerns in B.C.</a> (Calgary Herald)</p><p><a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Free+online+services+like+Google+come+with+cost/7347036/story.html">Free online services like Google can come with a cost</a> (Ottawa Citizen)</p><p><a href="http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/409011--bc-man-seeks-class-action-lawsuit-against-google">BC man seeks class-action lawsuit against Google</a> (News1130)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dh1mkIh2WN-cJiMoQxk1v9IGhMgAM&ned=us">31 additional articles.</a></p>