Adware maker Zango Incorporated has sued PC Tools Pty Limited, makers of the popular Spyware Doctor software, in a dispute over the way the antispyware program flags and removes Zango"s technology. The Spyware Doctor Starter Edition that ships with Google Pack assigns Zango an "elevated" threat-level rating. "We believe the proceedings are an attempt by Zango to influence our reclassification process. Prior to the lawsuit we were well into an in-depth review and reclassification of the latest versions of Zango products. We advised Zango of this imminent re-rating and we believe they have chosen to lodge these proceedings as a way to gain media attention of the review," said PC Tools in a statement.
According to a post on a blog at Spamnotes.com, Zango is seeking at least $35 million in damages, alleging that Spyware Doctor removes Zango"s software without warning users that it will be deleted. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in King County Superior Court in Seattle, according to Spamnotes.com. Formerly known as 180solutions Incorporated, Zango is trying to clean up its tarnished reputation. In November it paid $3 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its software was being installed deceptively on PCs. PC users have complained that the software has been installed without warning, forcing them to endure unwanted pop-up ads. The company has also been accused of tracking user behaviour and making its software too difficult to remove.