Volume VII

Issue : 13: September 24, 2009

• Microsoft Loses Patent Infringement Appeal but Damages Award to be Reduced
• State of Virginia Backs Off Demand for Facebook User Data
• Court Rules on Prospect of Liability for Linking to Allegedly Defamatory Content
• Malicious Online Advertising Brings Microsoft Suit
• Canadas Privacy Watchdogs Wary of Proposed Surveillance Laws
• FCC Releases Net Neutrality Rules
• Copyright Infringement Suit Brought Against the Ellen DeGeneres Show

Home > Volume VII > Issue 13: September 24, 2009 > Malicious Online Advertising Brings Microsoft Suit

Malicious Online Advertising Brings Microsoft Suit

Microsoft Corp. has filed suit in Washington State Superior Court against five unknown individuals operating under the business names “Soft Solutions”, “DirectAd”, “qiweroqw.com”, “ITmeter INC.” and “ote2008.info”. The suits allege that the defendants are disseminating “malvertisements” by distributing malicious software or luring users to sites that peddle security software that falsely claims to detect or prevent computer threats, known as “scareware”, to unsuspecting buyers.

In a blog post, Tim Cranton, Microsoft Associate General Counsel, writes that the software may comprise Trojan code to damage data, steal personal information or allow remote control of the user’s computer. Microsoft seeks damages and intends that the filings will help deter future malvertising.

For additional information, visit:

http://tinyurl.com/Microsoft-Malvertising-Threat

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10356174-56.html

For a copy of the suit, visit:

http://microsoftontheissues.com/cs/files/folders/32814/download.aspx