Are Class Action Suits The Wrong Way To Go After Spyware Companies?
from the only-the-lawyers-win dept
We’ve noted the recent class action lawsuits against the likes of 180Solutions and DirectRevenue for sneaking adware onto users computers. However, a columnist over at eWeek is pointing out that class action lawsuits like this make him uncomfortable. He points out that, even if the case is successful, it’s most likely that only the lawyers really “win.” They’ll collect some huge portion of the settlement, while everyone else will have to mail in some sheet of paper and wait a year to get their $17 coupon to something they probably don’t want anyway. That’s probably true — however, it seems like most people probably don’t care so much about being reimbursed. They just want to see these spyware firms suffer. Still, is there a better solution for those who feel that they had one of these programs installed surreptitiously?
Comments on “Are Class Action Suits The Wrong Way To Go After Spyware Companies?”
Spyware
Spyware is a big deal. Some spyware can steal credit cards off your computer and send it back to its “home site”… It should be illegal. There would be no need to try and drain there budget then. If there caught then they could go to jail.
spyware
In order to download one of these things from 180Solutions, don’t you have to agree to allow the download to happen first? I don’t see how anyone was duped into downloading these programs anyway. And to 180Solutions, yes you are spyware because you moniter where I visit online; spying=monitering.
Re: spyware
Usually these things are piggybacked on stuff that you want. You download what looks like it might be a useful utility and next thing you know there’s some undead zombie spyware that you can’t kill no matter what you try.
Lawyers
Gee what a surprise. Class action law suits, devised by lawyers (most politicians are lawyers) for the benefit of lawyers at the expense of the public and their clients. Who would of thunk such a thing.
Shakespear was right.
Re: Lawyers
In this case class action may be the best alternative _IF_ the terms of settlement severly limits 180’s future actions and/or a judgement establishes precedence.
It would be difficult for an individual to prove the extent of financial loss and the legal fees could be substantial. In class action the lawyers would be looking for the court to award them fees.
No Subject Given
To mjr1007. AMEN, Brother!