Why is adware legal anyways? Eventually it crashes the PC and data loss.

"Eventually it crashes the PC and data loss."

No. It doesn't.

Many do, many do not. Opera was ad-ware supported for ages. It was solid. The ads did *not* harm your computer.

Yeah, it's only one example.... I work with what I got.

How about the government intelligence agencies stepping in and suing both companies for infringing on their data collection methods? I mean come on, the CIA and NSA have been spying on America and the world for far longer than either company has been in existence! Wouldn't that constitute some sort of trade secret infringement? hehehe

I am still wondering why the government allow adware company anyway. Most of them install by themselves and collect data with the user knowledge. What make them different from hackers?

See my post above. Not all adware is bad.

Does someone know which patents these are? I'd like to know how you can patent collection of data. Did WhenU and 180solutions steal NetRatings survey or something?

I'm sure the adware companies in question borrowed the methods/technologies used in data collection and anaylisis.

WhenU.com......
180solutions......
and i thought those were viruses, not companies

"Neither 180solutions nor WhenU could be reached for comment."
hmmm...i wonder

Wow...

Patent Trolls vs. SPAMmers.

Talk about the battle of two Evils.

I really don't know how to feel about this. Perhaps we should set up a ring in Nevada, tell 'em to go fight it out, and when they get there nuke 'em straight to hell?

So if they kill WhenU, can we get BSplayer "free" *without* the friggin' adware?

Yeah, it kind of reminds me of voting in elections - which is usually: Thief vs. Liar

Now come on Joe, that's no way to talk. Some of them aren't liars or Thieves, they are just inept.

This is how you stop them, sue them! Lets just file a lawsuit against EVERY spammer..

It's little wonder why your country is wracked with litigation, isn't it? :P

FYI data collection by NNR is by no means spamming, or adware for that matter. Their members had been recruited and had consented to have their internet activities monitored and is 100% legal for those who are not ignorant.

I am sure that if you read his comments again, you will find that he is referring to the Adware and Spyware companies and 'NOT' NNR.

NNR has some great data, but wonder too what infringements. Are they taking data from NNR or merely using their techniques? It sounds as if they are just using similar techniques.

Actually, just make them pay for the service done on all the machines that they corrupt would be enough. Lawsuits would only allow them to settle out of court and continue doing business as usual. Making them pay for screwing with computers could break them.

Yes I realise that, but I just wanted to clarify that because that particular post could have been interpreted differently..

What kind of damage is being done?

honestly, i don't know which evil i want to win.

perhaps the best thing that could happen would be a bomb in the courthouse.

Well that would condone violence, and that wouldn't get us anywhere..

Besides, you think we can get away with it? -snicker-

you would only get the lawyers; a good start but it's solving the wrong problem.

Sure.

Rent a cargo van, fill it with fertalizer, pay some numbnuts to drive it to the courthouse and the second he pulls up, snipe the van's gas-tank.

Problem solved. The police have a body to blame, and the lawyers are buried beneath the rubble.

Not that I would *ever* condone such a thing. The possibilities of innocent bystanders being hurt would be *far* too high.

The end would not justify the means. Possible doens't mean it should be done.

i suggest a small dirty bomb releasing not an explosion but just enough radiation to prevent them from having children thus limiting the spread of evil they represent

"limiting the spread of evil they represent"

...would involve less radiation, and more shutting off the damned Television.