Category Archives: Software News

“Free Software CD” Internet Operation Settles FTC Charges

Defendants who allegedly offered “free” software CDs that weren’t free, and billed unsuspecting consumers for a software continuity program they didn’t know they were enrolled in, have agreed to settle FTC charges that their practices violated federal law. The settlement bars the illegal practices in the future and requires the defendants to give up more than $2 million for consumer redress.
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FTC Testifies on Spyware

June 11, 2008: The Federal Trade Commission today told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation that “legislation authorizing the Commission to seek civil penalties in spyware cases could add a potent remedy to those otherwise available to the Commission.” In testimony to the Committee, Eileen Harrington, Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said that when other enforcement options – seeking consumer redress or making the operators give up their ill-gotten gains – are not appropriate or sufficient remedies to deter spyware distributors, “a civil penalty may be the most appropriate remedy and serve as a strong deterrent.” The testimony states that the agency supports legislation that would provide “the Commission this valuable law enforcement tool.”
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