legalities of adware

feydr

New member
Apr 6, 2009
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So,

I know there's probably not one lawyer here but maybe I can get some helpful advice in this regard.

What are the legalties concerning adware? If I'm not installing via a botnet, there's a TOS describing the software is supported by ads and you can easily un-install it -- you are good to go? I mean how does PPV get away with it? It obviously can't be completely illegal.

This leads me to my real questions:

1) Can I legally insert ads into another page or does it have to be a pop-up? Is there a difference? Pretty sure yontoo is one company that is inserting ads into the pages rather than popping windows.

2) Can I replace existing ads in pages with my own? (eg: replace google ads/facebook ads with my own) -- this sounds like the one that would get me into trouble.

This sounds like a case of 'you can do it but as soon as you start raking in the dough be prepared to sell the company or get sued to oblivion'. Does this sound right?
 


2) Can I replace existing ads in pages with my own? (eg: replace google ads/facebook ads with my own) -- this sounds like the one that would get me into trouble.

Don't do this. Gator/Claria corporation was sued for this, there's some info on wikipedia.
 
^^ I wanted to build a proxy system about 4 years ago that would swap at out all ads, using adblocker like filters for my own, along with redirect eBay through Rover and Amazon through my partner link. Glad I decided it might be bending some rules here and there! :)
 
If you have a 'net, there are a ton of ways to make way more money than you'll ever get with a few adware installs.
 
The proxy im using right now (because comcast sucks and wont let anyone access shit, but i can still connect to this proxy?) has ads at the top of all web pages. Pretty good idea tbh.