RSSZango Sues Spyware Remover, Again
By Nate Mook | Published May 18, 2007, 3:45 PM
For the second time, adware provider Zango has sued a software developer over its anti-spyware solution, this time targeting PC Tools and its popular Spyware Doctor program that comes with Google Pack. Zango, previously known as 180solutions, sued Zone Labs in late 2005.
Like its previous lawsuit regarding ZoneAlarm, Zango claims Spyware Doctor illegally removes Zango software from users' PCs without their express permission. PC Tools has rated Zango an "elevated" threat currently, but is in the process of reclassifying the software, perhaps to a more critical rating.
Zango is demanding $35 million in damages from PC Tools for causing "irreparable harm."
PC Tools said in a statement that it believes Zango is simply trying to influence the reclassification, perhaps to scare the company into not highlighting the Zango software as a threat. Zango claims its software "has been consensually installed by millions of users," but many experts dispute this claim.
Moreover, Sunbelt Software CEO Alex Eckelberry says that Spyware Doctor does, in fact, provide ample warning before removing Zango. "In all cases the user is provided plenty of notice about Zango and what Spyware Doctor Starter Edition is or will be doing with Zango, which is specifically identified," he said in a blog post.
Sunbelt, although it makes a competing anti-spyware product, has offered PC Tools any forensic evidence it needs to defend itself. However, if its past actions are any indication, Zango may not be planning to truly pursue the case. It dropped its lawsuit against Zone Labs in early 2006.
Shortly after filing its lawsuit against Zone Labs, the company also promised to clean up its act by ending the distribution of 180search Assistant and releasing Seekmo Search Assistant instead, which it said includes technologies to help reduce the number of unauthorized installations. The company later renamed itself to Zango upon merging with fellow adware provider Hotbar.
Last November, Zango agreed to pay $3 million to the FTC in order to settle charges that it deceived consumers into downloading adware and obstructed them from removing it, in violation of federal law. At the time, Zango blamed affiliates and again promised to clean up its act.
Wow! What madness struck Zango again? Shouldn't they be the one being sued? They really set aside their brains and say "Zango claims its software "has been consensually installed by millions of users", it's because some people aren't aware of the damage of the malware bundled in the program and those people are seeking cure to remove them. Perhaps the cyber world would be somehow "better" if that company would be obliterated.
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|let's sue them!
spyware, adware and plus, no real uninstall option, and bad faith in their programs, and in the way they are present (or not) to the "inocent" user!
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|I have no doubt that Zango will drop this case just like they did with ZoneAlarm, they don't want to risk a full trial on their software.
I think that when they do all (or most) anti-spyware companies should get together and sue Zango. A class action lawsuit that Zango can't win would pretty much put an end to them.
But I'm just being hopeful :)
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|For more laughs read these.
http://blogs.csoonline.com/files/complaint.pdf
then read this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zango
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|Thanks for the links. Zango is a real crap which slow downs the computer dramatically. I am sure Google guys done a great job of including PC Tools which removes this Zango Crap. We know what Zango Guys are telling and what is true. Be aware of any crap from Zango. World would be much better with out these Zango guys.
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|This is hilarious.
"Zango is demanding $35 million in damages from PC Tools for causing "irreparable harm.""
I hope they win. In doing so they may be establishing a precedent that effectively takes themselves out.
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|What?
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|Zango is a crap some how mange to install itself with out even user's knowledge. I would be more happy to remove this crap by any means. Years back I got this annoying crap (Zango) after several failed attempts I have formatted the Hard Disk and reinstalled the OS.
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|These guys forget that when you use the PC Tools, you give that software permission to remove other software from your computer even if such software was at any time wanted.
I just hope a Judge is smart enough to realize that and tosses these guys out of court.
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|WINDOWS - XP/2003/Vista Torrent/Forums 2007?
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|Just like GAIN who claims people fall over each other to install the wolf in sheeps clothing.....These folks should be charged with vandelism and shut down
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|Should be:
"Zango claims its software "has been consensually installed to millions of computers without the knowledge of its users,"
Zango should drop and die. Anyone sane wouldnt come and claim BS like this. Idiots.
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|"However, if its past actions are any indication, Zango may not be planning to truly pursue the case. It dropped its lawsuit against Zone Labs in early 2006."
Obviously they have no intentions of truly pursuing the case, they know there's no chance for them to possibly win it.
"Zango claims its software "has been consensually installed by millions of users," but many experts dispute this claim."
I very seriously doubt that. Who in their right mind would willingly install spyware onto their computers? No one, of course.
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|Remember Gator? Or BonziBuddy(SPL?), and the list goes on. People new to computers don't know what those programs really are, at least not until they read something about spyware and malware. So, even IF they concensually installed those programs they usually had no idea what kind of crap they were installing. I should know, I was one of those people.
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|Yup, or until someone discovers a use for them as with PCAnywhere!
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|"Express permission?"
That said, PC Tools hereby has full and all permissions to remove anything even remotely close to a Zango infection/threat/problem/application. (Die a slow and painful viral death, Zango.)
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|"Last November, Zango agreed to pay $3 million to the FTC in order to settle charges that it deceived consumers into downloading adware and obstructed them from removing it"
If the court had any sense, they would throw this court case out the door the moment it arrives. Let's just analyze that quote. Zango are trying to sue someone for a tool which helps remove software. That software will generally list things it removes, give a manual option, etc.
Zango created software which after installing had no easy way to remove it. The user likely did not agree to software which is very difficult to remove.
.. where's the court case here?
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|"The user likely did not agree to software which is very difficult to remove."
Like Norton Anti-virus?
/teehee
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|Why do we put anti-spyware products on our computer...TO GET RID OF SPYWARE!!! Damn morons, if I get Zango on my computer its definitely not on purpose and I want to get rid of it. I hope they loose in court, dumb asses.
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|"I hope they loose in court, dumb asses."
Kettle. Pot. Black.
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|If you do get zango on your computer it would be your fault because:
A. you went to a site you should not have
B. you downloaded a program that contained it in it and did not read the directions
C. reread your post, enough said.
D. all of the above.
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