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Gator Forces Site To Remove 'Spyware' Label

Posted by simoniker on from the gentler-nicer-language dept.

lurker412 writes "CNet News is reporting that Gator has forced PC Pitstop to remove Web pages that call Gator's software 'spyware.' The correct term, according to Gator, is 'adware.' The article states: 'If we find anyone publicly calling us spyware, we correct it and take action if necessary,' said Scott Eagle, Gator's senior vice president of marketing. So be careful what you say in your comments..."

4 of 927 comments (clear)

  1. Well, it is. by Kredal · · Score: 0, Redundant

    gator = spyware.

    Deal with it.

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  2. should be called... by seriv · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Should be called evilware.
    -Seriv

  3. I prefer to call it by reboot246 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Scumware

    The worst kind of scumware

  4. Pyhhric victory, was Re:What? by babbage · · Score: 0, Redundant
    By calling themselves, "adware" they will forever malign the name "adware".

    I can't help but think of this as a Pyhhric victory on Gator's part anyway. Great, so they convinced the court that in this case they should be called "adware" instead of "spyware" -- how does that get them ahead? What kind of person thinks that running system crippling "adware" that bombards them with popup ads for product "B" when they're trying to read about product "A" is a desirable thing?

    It's widely recognized that Gator's software is only as widespread as it is because it piggybacks along with more obviously desirable software. How much of Gator's user base went out and installed Gator because they actually, directly, and specifically want Gator itself? Any of them? Somehow I doubt that the percentage can be more than a couple of percent of their user base, and I'd hazard a guess that most of the people that want Gator on their system only do because they're spyware researchers trying to analyze Gator, the better to write software that tries to neutralize it.

    I realize that this is the argument that Gator has to make, but really, come on: arguing that they're marketing "adware" instead of "spyware" is like saying that they're "fascists" instead of "Nazis". (</godwin>) They may have won this semantic skirmish, but surely this kind of tactic will only lead to them losing the public opinion war.

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