London, UK, 27 February 2003 - GFI today announced that it is offering a server-based disclaimer module as freeware. This module, included in GFI MailEssentials for Exchange/SMTP 8, enables administrators to automatically add text to each outbound email, such as a legal disclaimer or commercial information - a feature that is not present in the "out of the box" Microsoft Exchange Server. By offering this as freeware, GFI is providing organizations with an easy way to defend themselves against the legal liability arising from an employee's inappropriate use of a corporate email address.

Legally organizations are responsible
A series of recent court decisions have been clear and unequivocal in establishing the principle that a corporation is responsible for the content of its employees' email messages - even if the message is completely opposite to corporate beliefs and positions. Everything sent from a corporate email system - whether between mailboxes on the company server or to the outside world - is the responsibility of the corporation. Therefore, companies need to protect themselves by means of legal disclaimers so that it is clear that the author of potentially harmful messages is responsible for his or her actions.

Disclaimers can promote corporate messages
In addition to reducing liability, the disclaimer/footer text can be used to add a standard corporate message to each email, such as an address, a promotional offer or the company slogan. Although most employees have their own personal signature, the disclaimer text ensures that the approved corporate message is consistently communicated.

Customizable disclaimer configuration
GFI MailEssentials gives administrators the flexibility to add disclaimers according to their specific needs. With GFI MailEssentials, one can:

• Add disclaimers as message headers or footers
• Include fields and variables - for example, a recipient name or email - to personalize the disclaimer
• Create multiple disclaimers that can be associated by user, group or domain
• Use text or HTML format.

About GFI MailEssentials for Exchange/SMTP
The disclaimer module is only one of several features included in GFI MailEssentials. GFI MailEssentials for Exchange/SMTP offers spam protection at server level and eliminates the need to install and update anti-spam software on each desktop. It includes a number of simple yet effective methods to virtually eliminate spam from your network such as support for third party DNS blacklists, automatic whitelist management, the ability to block spam by character set, generation of false non delivery reports, and more.

Obtaining the freeware version
The freeware version can be downloaded from http://www.gfi.com/mes*. The download is a trial version of GFI MailEssentials (3Mb), however the disclaimer feature remains active after the 60-day evaluation period. Quick install instructions can be obtained at http://www.gfi.com/downloads/gettingstarted.asp?pid=11&vid=67&lid=1. Alternatively, the entire GFI MailEssentials 8 manual can be downloaded from ftp://ftp.gfi.com/manuals/mes8manual.zip. User-to-user support is available at http://forums.gfi.com.

The freeware module includes one free disclaimer, allowing administrators to configure a global disclaimer for the entire company, a domain, or a group of users. If multiple disclaimers are required, then the commercial version must be purchased. The freeware disclaimer version provides downloaders with a perpetual license; however, to qualify, one must download it within the next six months. This freeware offer is no longer available after 31 August 2003.

* Freeware version is no longer available