XBIZ News: Zango Settles With FTC for 3 Million - GoFuckYourself.com - Adult Webmaster Forum

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Brooklywood

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XBIZ News: Zango Settles With FTC for 3 Million

11-03-2006, 10:35 AM

BELLEVUE, Wash. ? The scourge of many adult webmasters got hit where it hurts: in the wallet. Zango, the adware manufacturer, reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission to pay $3 million in ill-gotten gains in response to charges that it deceptively installed adware onto PCs without users? consent and then obstructed them for removing it, violating federal law.

Read the complete story here

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11-03-2006, 10:37 AM

Good!!!

but

where does that money go?

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11-03-2006, 10:38 AM

too bad they'll keep operating

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11-03-2006, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by Deej

Good!!!

but

where does that money go?

Certainly NOT to you

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11-03-2006, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by JFK

Certainly NOT to you

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#6

11-03-2006, 10:40 AM

ZANGO is still SCUMWARE

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#7

11-03-2006, 10:41 AM

Well I guess that clears that up!
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#8

11-03-2006, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by XBizSteve

BELLEVUE, Wash. ? The scourge of many adult webmasters got hit where it hurts: in the wallet. Zango, the adware manufacturer, reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission to pay $3 million in ill-gotten gains in response to charges that it deceptively installed adware onto PCs without users? consent and then obstructed them for removing it, violating federal law.

Read the complete story here
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#9

11-03-2006, 10:43 AM

Not near enough of a penalty. Now we need to see some suits being brought against Zango and their customers for trademark violations.
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#10

11-03-2006, 10:44 AM

Nice.....

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#11

11-03-2006, 10:45 AM

3 million isn't much of a slap on the wrist but hopefully they actually enforce the required changes and not give them a year to clean up their shit
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#12

11-03-2006, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by jayeff

Not near enough of a penalty. Now we need to see some suits being brought against Zango and their customers for trademark violations.

Yeap, the blood is in the water. Time to attack.

I am sure this will help open up the door for civil lawsuits. Them being fined is proof they did illegal installs.

If the install was done without the users consent then they could not agree to the bullshit terms and conditions. So if they didn't do that, then there is no defense to them stealing traffic. Their only defense was that the user agreed to it, this has proven that many users did not.

We need an attorny who will do a class action suit against them.

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#13

11-03-2006, 10:50 AM

The FTC vote to accept the proposed agreements was 5-0. The agreement now is open for public comment beginning today through Dec. 5. Comments should be addressed to the FTC, Office of the Secretary, Room H-135, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20580.

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#14

11-03-2006, 10:57 AM

Originally posted by XBizSteve

The FTC vote to accept the proposed agreements was 5-0. The agreement now is open for public comment beginning today through Dec. 5. Comments should be addressed to the FTC, Office of the Secretary, Room H-135, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20580.

Maybe it's time to flood the FTC with complaints on how their installs are stealing from affiliates. By poping compeating ads on our webpages. Didn't Gator get hammered for that very thing?

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#15

11-03-2006, 10:59 AM

Nice

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#16

11-03-2006, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by will76

Yeap, the blood is in the water. Time to attack.

I am sure this will help open up the door for civil lawsuits. Them being fined is proof they did illegal installs.

If the install was done without the users consent then they could not agree to the bullshit terms and conditions. So if they didn't do that, then there is no defense to them stealing traffic. Their only defense was that the user agreed to it, this has proven that many users did not.

We need an attorny who will do a class action suit against them.

Didn't i see a guy posting here selling a script that will automatically install Zango on to the unsuspecting surfer...? was it fake?

We all know Zango monitors this board, so ignorance isn't a defense.....

Maybe they can afford another few million in fines...

Anyhow thanks for the good news XBizSteve

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#17

11-03-2006, 11:02 AM

Maybe I will go down to my local church and point out why Disney dropped zango - because kids were downloading games (targeted to kids) and the search assistant was bundled in the install, which poped up porn on the kids computers. How does a 14 year old consent to terms and conditions that will pop up porn on his PC....

need to gear you complaints in a way to really get their attention.

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#18

11-03-2006, 11:06 AM

that's peanuts for zango
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#19

11-03-2006, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by will76

Maybe I will go down to my local church and point out why Disney dropped zango - because kids were downloading games (targeted to kids) and the search assistant was bundled in the install, which poped up porn on the kids computers. How does a 14 year old consent to terms and conditions that will pop up porn on his PC....

need to gear you complaints in a way to really get their attention.

opps that was Warner Bros....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...072701620.html

Warner Bros. Studios, home to Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo and Harry Potter, said yesterday that it plans to terminate a business relationship with Zango Inc., an adware company that has been offering free games on the Warner Bros. Web site in exchange for permission to install a computer program that could push advertisements and pornography.

Zango is offering free downloads of games on a Warner Bros. Web page called "Fun Stuff" that appears to be for children. But when users click on the game, they're directed to a page that asks for permission to install on the computer a program called Zango Search Assistant. Hidden in the terms of agreement is the disclosure that users may receive adult-oriented ads through it.

Last edited by will76; 11-03-2006, 11:08 AM.

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11-03-2006, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by will76

opps that was Warner Bros....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...072701620.html

Warner Bros. Studios, home to Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo and Harry Potter, said yesterday that it plans to terminate a business relationship with Zango Inc., an adware company that has been offering free games on the Warner Bros. Web site in exchange for permission to install a computer program that could push advertisements and pornography.

Zango is offering free downloads of games on a Warner Bros. Web page called "Fun Stuff" that appears to be for children. But when users click on the game, they're directed to a page that asks for permission to install on the computer a program called Zango Search Assistant. Hidden in the terms of agreement is the disclosure that users may receive adult-oriented ads through it.

Ha ha, is there no limit to who you will piss off Will76?

Now micky mouse is in your sights!! Watch it Goofy has got his back

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#21

11-03-2006, 11:25 AM

Now can anyone at AFF Cams realize that you are paying scumware merchants to stay in business?

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#22

11-03-2006, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by will76

Yeap, the blood is in the water. Time to attack.

I am sure this will help open up the door for civil lawsuits. Them being fined is proof they did illegal installs.

If the install was done without the users consent then they could not agree to the bullshit terms and conditions. So if they didn't do that, then there is no defense to them stealing traffic. Their only defense was that the user agreed to it, this has proven that many users did not.

We need an attorny who will do a class action suit against them.

The settlement is just that, a settlement. This wasn't a fine levied by the FTC and this isn't an admission of guilt. Companies often settle with the FTC in order to avoid exactly that, getting a guilty verdict.
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#23

11-03-2006, 11:37 AM

Hmm lets go the lazy route here and contact a bunch of big churches/religious fanatics and tell them zango has currupted your children with porn ads by fooling them into playing "free games" and then just sit back and let them do all the bitching.
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#24

11-03-2006, 11:39 AM

well thats some good news

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#25

11-03-2006, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by WiredGuy

The settlement is just that, a settlement. This wasn't a fine levied by the FTC and this isn't an admission of guilt. Companies often settle with the FTC in order to avoid exactly that, getting a guilty verdict.
WG

Yeah I am sure people settle to stuff they are innocent of all the time. And for that matter the FTC investigates people who are innocent all the time.

it is what it is.

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#26

11-03-2006, 11:44 AM

are they Zango.com?

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#27

11-03-2006, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by hydro

Hmm lets go the lazy route here and contact a bunch of big churches/religious fanatics and tell them zango has currupted your children with porn ads by fooling them into playing "free games" and then just sit back and let them do all the bitching.

thats what i am talking about. Everyone has a purpose even the people who don't like us can come in handy sometimes.

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11-03-2006, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by crockett

Maybe it's time to flood the FTC with complaints on how their installs are stealing from affiliates. By poping compeating ads on our webpages. Didn't Gator get hammered for that very thing?

Yes they did

In 2002, Weight Watchers sued competitor DiscreetDrugs.com, which had reportedly used Gator to cause its advertisements to appear when users requested the Weight Watchers web site. Also in 2002, Weight Watchers sued competitor DietWatch.com, which had also reportedly used Gator to cause its advertisements to cover the Weight Watchers site. A premanent injunction was issued by the US District Court, Southern District of New York, enjoining certain DietWatch activities and granting $25,000 of damages.

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#29

11-03-2006, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by will76

Yeah I am sure people settle to stuff they are innocent of all the time. And for that matter the FTC investigates people who are innocent all the time.

it is what it is.

Like I said, this was a settlement, not a verdict. People settle all the time to avoid expensive and lengthy litigation. Using this settlement to try and show what they were doing was illegal isn't going to have any merit in a court.
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#30

11-03-2006, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by Soul_Rebel

that's peanuts for zango

Bingo....

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#31

11-03-2006, 12:10 PM

Originally posted by WiredGuy

Like I said, this was a settlement, not a verdict. People settle all the time to avoid expensive and lengthy litigation. Using this settlement to try and show what they were doing was illegal isn't going to have any merit in a court.
WG

welll public opinion also goes a long way. I understand it is not a verdict, it is pretty clear it is a settlement.

Here is 3 million dollars I have no clue why you are investigating me and I did nothing wrong. but I just want you to have this 3 million dollars....

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#32

11-03-2006, 12:18 PM

For those that are interested, Zango's official response to the settlement is posted on their blog found here.

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#33

11-03-2006, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by will76

Here is 3 million dollars I have no clue why you are investigating me and I did nothing wrong. but I just want you to have this 3 million dollars....

Do you know how long and expensive the litigation process would be for an issue like this? It would drag on for years and cost millions, its quite possible that they felt paying a $3MM settlement would be cheaper and get it over with today, even if they weren't doing anything wrong. There's tons of cases like this, such as Xanga.com's $1MM settlement regarding COPPA and even with companies like Microsoft. This is a lot more common than you may think.
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#34

11-03-2006, 12:19 PM

so much for all the idiots that say what zango does is completely legal

LOL

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#35

11-03-2006, 12:28 PM

Just the cost of doing business for them but hopefully this will open some peoples eyes settlement or not.

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#36

11-03-2006, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by SleazyDream

so much for all the idiots that say what zango does is completely legal

LOL

You mean Lars..

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#37

11-03-2006, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by SleazyDream

so much for all the idiots that say what zango does is completely legal

LOL

Awe come on Scott, All ther cool kids do it

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#38

11-03-2006, 12:58 PM

Well, whatever else Zango has done, they sure hired a potent law firm to represent them.

From the Zango blog:

"Attorney Christine A. Varney, a partner with Hogan & Hartson and an FTC Commissioner from 1994 to 1997, represents Zango in this matter."

For those of you not familar with Hogan & Hartson, it is one of the best-connected lawfirms in DC.

John Roberts, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, used to work there as a litigator back in the 80's.

Robert Corn-Revere, who handled a landmark case for Playboy, worked there as well. It was sitting as a "judge" in a mock trial that Corn-Revere staged in preparation for that case that got some social conservatives' undies in a bunch back when Roberts was nominated for appointment to the Supreme Court.

Edit to note thatCorn-Revere also wrote a 'white paper' for ICM Registry in connection with their .XXX TLD application.

There are lots of other connects between this law firm and the Washington power brokers, too - search around, and you'll find all kinds of interesting tidbits about H&H.

- Q.

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#39

11-03-2006, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by will76

thats what i am talking about. Everyone has a purpose even the people who don't like us can come in handy sometimes.

Yep it worked great for stopping the .sex tld they argued that it would "promote" porn and give children easier access and a bunch of other shit.
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#40

11-03-2006, 01:17 PM

3 mil is nothing for them. they still operating and that sucks.
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#41

11-03-2006, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by WiredGuy

Do you know how long and expensive the litigation process would be for an issue like this? It would drag on for years and cost millions, its quite possible that they felt paying a $3MM settlement would be cheaper and get it over with today, even if they weren't doing anything wrong. There's tons of cases like this, such as Xanga.com's $1MM settlement regarding COPPA and even with companies like Microsoft. This is a lot more common than you may think.
WG

it is interesting how you are always on the "other side" of this issue.

Or more likely they settled because they knew they weren't going to win.

If there are tons of cases please provide them. I would love to see the tons of people who did nothing wrong but had to cough millions because the FTC got a wild hair up their ass to go after them... for no reason ofcourse.

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#42

11-03-2006, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by SleazyDream

so much for all the idiots that say what zango does is completely legal

LOL

the same idiots that you do business with and steal from you.

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#43

11-03-2006, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by hydro

Yep it worked great for stopping the .sex tld they argued that it would "promote" porn and give children easier access and a bunch of other shit.

Everyone should contact [email protected] We need their help.

Don't use your pornsite address lol when sending. Use a generic email account. Let them know that you are sick and tired of pornsites poping up on your computer. Feel free to elaberate, i am sure some of you have kids that may have seen this etc.... And all of these porn popups you get have " this ad is supported by zango" on the bottom. It appears that it is coming from a company, 180solutions.
Also kids were installing games that also allowed porn to popup on their pc, which was included from zango. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...072701620.html Warner bros did the right thing and dropped them. And also zango was being pushed on myspace (many of which on myspace are under 18) http://www.vitalsecurity.org/2006/07...ace-proof.html

So will MIM do anything about this, to protect us and our children ???

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#44

11-03-2006, 04:43 PM

bump....

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#45

11-03-2006, 07:30 PM

zango sucks

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#46

11-05-2006, 02:03 PM

Zangorific
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