Liability for Labeling Software as Spyware
Ben Edelman’s latest research describes various efforts by software vendors to curtail characterizations of their software as spyware (or a synonym). These bigfoot letters often attempt to distort the information marketplace by forcing the removal of unflattering but potentially accurate…
SPY BLOCK Act Reintroduced
Burns and Wyden have reintroduced the SPY BLOCK Act in the Senate (S 687). Initial text here. This is the Senate complement to the SPY Act in the House (HR 29).
Utah Amends Spyware Control Act
Last week, the Utah governor signed HB 104, the amendment to Utah’s Spyware Control Act. The amendment is, in fact, a nearly complete rewrite of the prior law. I blogged on the proposed law last month, and since then further…
SPY Act Passes House Committee
The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the SPY Act, sending it to the House floor. The article illustrates continuing definitional problems with the bill.
iDownload’s Latest Letters
iDownload backs off of its legal threats to bloggers who characterized its software as spyware. If they were going to backpedal like this, why bare their fangs in the first place?
FTC Report on Spyware
The FTC has released a report entitled “Monitoring Software on Your PC: Spyware, Adware, and Other Software” as a follow up to its April 2004 workshop. I need to read through it, but it looks like a typical FTC response:…
Edelman on P2P Disclosures
Ben Edelman released a report entitled “Comparison of Unwanted Software Installed by P2P Programs.” The report evidences Ben’s typical skill and thoroughness, and it’s a worthy read. However, the report struggles with the appropriate standards for measuring a workable disclosure…
Another Follow-up on Microsoft Antispyware Misclassification
Another article on Microsoft’s antispyware tool blocking access to a Dutch search engine. See earlier posts #1 and #2.
Fracas over iDownload C&D Letters
iDownload has been sending C&D letters to people who have characterized iSearch software as “malware” or “spyware.” See postings at Spyware Warrior and CastleCops. I’ve blogged on the misclassification problem before, and I remain deeply troubled that valuable software functionality…
More on Dutch Search Engine Lawsuit Against Microsoft
Michael Geist’s ILN reports that Microsoft has altered its software and issued an apology in response to the Dutch search engine’s lawsuit over being labeled spyware.