Symantec, Hotbar Resolve Adware Dispute

FYI…

- http://tinyurl.com/mpft5
February 24, 2006
"CUPERTINO, Calif. - Symantec Corp. on Friday said it has reached an agreement in its dispute with Hotbar.com regarding adware detection and has dismissed a related lawsuit. Symantec filed a suit against Hotbar in June asking for a ruling supporting Symantec's right to classify certain Hotbar program files as low-risk adware. As a result of out-of-court discussions, Hotbar now knows that Symantec will describe various Hotbar programs as low-risk adware. It is up to the customer to decide whether or not to remove the program."

More…

- http://www.techweb.com/article/printableAr…_section=700028
March 03, 2006
"…Last June, Symantec filed a zero-dollar suit against the New York company, saying then that it was seeking a legal ruling that would affirm the position that Hotbar's programs "are indeed adware and can be treated as computer security risks." Under the new arrangement struck with Hotbar, Symantec has agreed to dismiss the lawsuit but will still classify the company's software as "adware"… This isn't the first time that an anti-spyware maker has backed off from a vendor. A year ago, Microsoft quietly changed the advice it gave users on programs supplied by Claria, one of the largest adware purveyors. The resulting storm in the press and by bloggers forced Microsoft to issue an open letter to customers explaining why it made the changes…"