Pop-up ads firm Claria Corporation, previously known as Gator,
has settled a number of lawsuits over its software, which delivers
pop-up ads on behalf of its clients to third-party web sites
without permission from the operators of those sites, according to
CNET News.com.
Internet users often receive Claria's advertising software – or
adware – when they download other software, such as Kazaa's popular
file-sharing application. Often they ignore the messages on screen
that explain what is being installed – so may be unaware that they
have adware running their computers.
The software examines keywords, URLs and search terms in use on
the user's browser and then selects which ads to display to that
user. These ads often refer to competitors of the site being
visited and are therefore highly controversial. This triggered
numerous legal actions against both pop-up ad firms and their
clients.
According to CNET News, Claria last month settled a combined
action brought by financial services firms Wells Fargo and Quicken
Loans. Other actions, brought by such firms as UPS, Hertz, LL Bean,
Tiger Direct and Six Continents, have also been recently
settled.
The settlements, no details of which have been released, leave a
question mark over the legality of advertising software. Some suits
against Claria, including one filed in April by on-line florist
Teleflora, are ongoing. The issue may also be resolved when similar
actions, brought against rival pop-up ads firm WhenU, finally reach
court.
