SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Experian Marketing Services, a leader in helping marketers target and better engage their customers, today announced it has entered into a settlement agreement with a group of affiliated California companies and individuals in a multicount legal action stemming from Experian's allegations that the defendants were engaging in the unauthorized buying and selling of Experian marketing data.

As part of the settlement, the defendant data brokers agreed to a mid-six-figure monetary payment to Experian, to destroy all "black market" Experian data in their possession, and to cease and desist from any further trafficking of unauthorized Experian data.

Experian Marketing Services filed suit against the settling California defendants in December 2008 for misappropriation, trademark infringement, unfair competition and deceptive business practices, among other issues and claimed that the defendants were illegally profiting from the robust intellectual property and goodwill of Experian.

"Individuals and companies that unlawfully trade in the intellectual property of others are engaging in unfair and deceptive business practices, and we will protect our business by pursuing cases like this to the fullest extent of the law," said Rick Erwin, president of the Data Division of Experian Marketing Services. "Such conduct not only hurts Experian, but also degrades the value and integrity of marketing data, which adversely impacts the entire industry."

The complaint against the California defendants was filed by Experian in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

About Experian

Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 65 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2009, was $3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.

Experian and the marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

    Contact:       Matthew Besler
                   Experian Public Relations
                   1 224 698 4415
                   matthew.besler@experian.com
     

SOURCE Experian Marketing Services