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story category FTC 'Cracks Down' on Spyware Purveyors
Odysseus Marketing: $1.75 million judgment
(old news - 05:30PM Wednesday Nov 22 2006)
tags: legal · software · spyware
"The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on companies that deceptively install software onto millions of consumers' computers," says Business Week, fueled by this FTC Press release. In addition to last month's $3 million settlement with Zango (aka 180Solutions), the FTC has announced a settlement with Odysseus Marketing, which prohibits them from using security exploits to install software. The company must also avoid "misrepresentation" of their product and needs to pay out $1.75 million. Are these penalties severe enough?

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Forums » FTC 'Cracks Down' on Spyware Purveyors
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Post a:
Indymike

join:2004-12-06
Indianapolis, IN

Chump Change

Zango and Odysseus are not hurt by these fines at all.

Heck, Zango just go a $40 Million infusion of cash.

Put them out of business!
permalink · 2006-11-22 17:21:37 · Reply to this

Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
·AT&T U-Verse
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T Yahoo

Re: Chump Change

Yeah, the penalties amount to a mere slap on the wrist
for them. I don't think there's any real incentive for
them to clean up their act, what with such low amounts.

I say make the fines at least 10 times that, and maybe
even allow people whose computers have been victimized
by them to file class action lawsuits.
--
"The trouble with computers, of course, is that they are very sophisticated idiots." - Doctor Who (from Destiny Of The Daleks)
permalink · 2006-11-22 17:23:47 · Reply to this

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ		 Its just the cost of doing business to them. They should just get their assets frozen.
--
You can never be too rich, too thin or have too much Bandwidth
permalink · 2006-11-22 18:32:40 · Reply to this

Nightshade
Beware the Blue Rabbit
Premium
join:2002-05-26
Salem, OR

Heck No!

This is a slap on the wrist compared to the amount of money Zango and Odyessus Marketing makes in profit.
--
True Happiness Must Come From Within
permalink · 2006-11-22 17:22:17 · Reply to this
hoyleysox

join:2003-11-07
Long Beach, CA
·Time Warner Telecom

They don't care about their image anyways

The bad press is worst than a fine for Sony or Microsoft, but I doubt that the bad press will affect 180solutions or Odysseus because people don't choose their products. They'll just change their names again.

Those companies face massive liability for the expense/time of keeping the software and removing it. I'm surprised that I haven't heard of any class action suits against them.
permalink · 2006-11-22 17:44:09 · Reply to this
underthehood
Premium
join:2006-01-04
Rockford, IL

spyware

Oh you mean like M$, Sony, and few other so called legit companies?!
permalink · 2006-11-22 18:14:14 · Reply to this

Transmaster
Onward Through The Fog

join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY

Re: spyware

I have a suspicion that the FEC does not want to put these outfits out of business. Why shoot the goose that lays to golden egg. This way they can fine them for a couple of million each year and pocket the money for their operating budget.
--
The older I get the more I prefer the company of my dogs over that of man kind.
permalink · 2006-11-22 19:05:35 · Reply to this

aaron8301
I can't get myself to go away.

join:2005-01-03
Clarkston, WA

Re: spyware

Sadly, I think you're right.
permalink · 2006-11-22 20:19:20 · Reply to this

batterup
I Can Not Tell A Lie.
Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
clubs:

I'm in the wrong business.

Spamming spy ware must bring in big bucks. How many stupid Zombies are out there?
permalink · 2006-11-22 20:37:55 · Reply to this

Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
·AT&T U-Verse
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T Yahoo

Re: I'm in the wrong business.

By one estimate, there's at least a million botnet zombies
out there.

Bad idea, though, to cross the Russian Mafia. You might end up
like this guy: »news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061121/ap_···sian_spy
--
"The trouble with computers, of course, is that they are very sophisticated idiots." - Doctor Who (from Destiny Of The Daleks)
permalink · 2006-11-22 20:59:51 · Reply to this

batterup
I Can Not Tell A Lie.
Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
clubs:
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: I'm in the wrong business.

said by Doctor Four See Profile :

By one estimate, there's at least a million botnet zombies
out there.

Bad idea, though, to cross the Russian Mafia. You might end up
like this guy: »news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061121/ap_···sian_spy
That wasn't the Russian Mafia that did that it was the KGB. Of course they may be one in the same.
permalink · 2006-11-22 21:03:28 · Print · Reply to this

God
Having no fun in Vilseck Germany
Premium
join:2002-07-01
Taji, Iraq
clubs:
·T-Com

Re: I'm in the wrong business.

said by batterup See Profile :

said by Doctor Four See Profile :

By one estimate, there's at least a million botnet zombies
out there.

Bad idea, though, to cross the Russian Mafia. You might end up
like this guy: »news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061121/ap_···sian_spy
That wasn't the Russian Mafia that did that it was the KGB. Of course they may be one in the same.
damm .......
--
Currently stuck in a foreign country thanks to good old Uncle Sam, member of Cco 1/2 Stryker Cavalry Regiment. Sucks being attached to a cav unit when you are infantry =\
permalink · 2006-11-23 04:36:00 · Print · Reply to this
Forums » FTC 'Cracks Down' on Spyware Purveyors

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