Microsoft wants the US Senate to rewrite anti-spyware legislation in order to protect companies that provide spyware removal utilities.
The software maker warned on Tuesday two bills approved by the House of Representatives this week fail to prevent "frivolous lawsuits" filed by adware and spyware companies that are upset when their code is removed.
"These bills leave companies that are responding to consumer demand for strong anti-spyware tools vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits brought by the very companies responsible for the proliferation of spyware and other deceptive software," Jack Krumholtz, the head of Microsoft's lobbying office, said in a statement. Microsoft began offering a spyware removal utility this year.
Microsoft's fears are hardly theoretical. Gator, now known as Claria, sued anti-spyware company PC Pitstop on grounds that included trade libel, false advertising and tortious interference. Claria distributes pop-up ad software, often bundled with free applications, that some surveys say is installed without a person's direct knowledge and consent.
New.net sued Lavasoft — maker of Ad-Aware — in federal court. And spyware researcher Ben Edelman has indicated that he has received threats from Claria and WhenU.
In January, Microsoft introduced a beta of its Windows AntiSpyware application, which is currently available at no cost.
The Senate is considering what to do with the spyware legislation but is not close to finalising anything. Microsoft's Krumholtz said: "We are hopeful that the Senate will include in its bill a provision to prevent those who traffic in spyware from suing companies like Microsoft to keep them from providing these valuable consumer protections."
Talkback
I See ..
So mickeyshafted wants to be able to steal anyone's code and include it in there products then clai8m it as there own work Errrrrrrrrr I Don't Fink so pal on yer bike.
Instead of taking the easy way do the job correctly in the first place and sort the crud that you call windows out , Or better still just can it total load of wide open bugware that it is wonde who wrote the latest wrapper for them 64 bit my aunt fanny .064 maybe
Having now read the article, I can say that I had not heard of Hotbar untill I checked my spyware program and found that 2 Hotbars had been removed. I agree with the comment made that if anything is to end up on my computer the right should be given to me to opt in the default should not be to opt out. I should also have the facility if I so wish to delete the adware/spyware ,call it what you will, at any time. Any item/object put onto my computer without my prior consent is to me an invasion of my privacy and should be strongly defended,