If anyone is not absolutely clear on my stance about affiliates that spread adware and spyware by promoting certain download and screensaver apps OR if you don't know you can get in trouble read today's 5 Star blog:
Too many affiliates still spread adware and spyware and they all think as long as they make a dime, it's cool. They don't think they can get in trouble and they don't think it's wrong. This attitude absolutely irks me! I'm seeing more and more <a target="_new" href="http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=46548&highlight=adware+blockers">forum threads</a> with affiliates asking "what's the best download affiliate program" or "how much are you guys making with Zang0?"
Maybe if more and more affiliates get busted and are held accountable it will curb the scourge of spyware affiliates that plague our industry. Here are 2 recent news stories that I hope will give <a target="_new" href="http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=178640">download affiliates</a> a reason to drop those programs.
<a target="_new" href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,127864-c,spyware/article.html">PC World - Court Shuts Down Alleged Spyware Operation</a> "District Court for the District of Nevada issued a temporary restraining order against ERG Ventures and an affiliate on October 31, and an FTC complaint seeks a permanent injunction against the company<strong> and an affiliate</strong>."
<strong>A U.S. district court has shut down a the company web site and one of their affiliate's sites and has frozen the assets of both the merchant and the affiliate. This also means all their other affiliates will not be getting paid. The FTC is also going to demand they give up all money they have earned from the illegal downloads. </strong>They are accused of "loading spyware and other malevolent software onto millions of computers after promising users free screen savers and video files, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Monday."
Also in today's news the CDT just issued a <a target="_new" href="http://www.cdt.org/press/20061120press-zango.php">Press Release</a> stating that Zang0 who recently reached a $3 million FTC settlement for their spyware practices, is still NOT in compliance according the Ben Edelman and another spyware researcher.
The Press release also states that one of the aspects of the settlement could have far-reaching positive implications for the downloadable software market is this:
"...<strong>the settlement makes clear that Zang0 is responsible for the actions of affiliates on its behalf. Too many downloadable software companies, Zang0 included, have attempted to disavow bad practices undertaken by their affiliates on their behalf. This settlement establishes that these companies can no longer sit back and claim ignorance as their affiliates violate the trust of Internet users.</strong>"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you still aren't sure that spreading this crap is wrong then read my latest post over at DP.
I let them have it, the way I know I don't need to here,
cuz you guys are all GOOD!
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=178640
Too many affiliates still spread adware and spyware and they all think as long as they make a dime, it's cool. They don't think they can get in trouble and they don't think it's wrong. This attitude absolutely irks me! I'm seeing more and more <a target="_new" href="http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=46548&highlight=adware+blockers">forum threads</a> with affiliates asking "what's the best download affiliate program" or "how much are you guys making with Zang0?"
Maybe if more and more affiliates get busted and are held accountable it will curb the scourge of spyware affiliates that plague our industry. Here are 2 recent news stories that I hope will give <a target="_new" href="http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=178640">download affiliates</a> a reason to drop those programs.
<a target="_new" href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,127864-c,spyware/article.html">PC World - Court Shuts Down Alleged Spyware Operation</a> "District Court for the District of Nevada issued a temporary restraining order against ERG Ventures and an affiliate on October 31, and an FTC complaint seeks a permanent injunction against the company<strong> and an affiliate</strong>."
<strong>A U.S. district court has shut down a the company web site and one of their affiliate's sites and has frozen the assets of both the merchant and the affiliate. This also means all their other affiliates will not be getting paid. The FTC is also going to demand they give up all money they have earned from the illegal downloads. </strong>They are accused of "loading spyware and other malevolent software onto millions of computers after promising users free screen savers and video files, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Monday."
Also in today's news the CDT just issued a <a target="_new" href="http://www.cdt.org/press/20061120press-zango.php">Press Release</a> stating that Zang0 who recently reached a $3 million FTC settlement for their spyware practices, is still NOT in compliance according the Ben Edelman and another spyware researcher.
The Press release also states that one of the aspects of the settlement could have far-reaching positive implications for the downloadable software market is this:
"...<strong>the settlement makes clear that Zang0 is responsible for the actions of affiliates on its behalf. Too many downloadable software companies, Zang0 included, have attempted to disavow bad practices undertaken by their affiliates on their behalf. This settlement establishes that these companies can no longer sit back and claim ignorance as their affiliates violate the trust of Internet users.</strong>"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you still aren't sure that spreading this crap is wrong then read my latest post over at DP.
I let them have it, the way I know I don't need to here,
cuz you guys are all GOOD!
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=178640
