Los Angeles - Three movie download websites have agreed to pay over $500,000 to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), to settle charges related to a scheme involving unwanted pop-up ads.

The FTC said in August 2006 that Movieland.com, Moviepass.tv and Popcorn.net had surreptitiously downloaded software to customers' computers, which launched unwanted pop-up ads with annoying music that couldn't be closed.

The ads further asked consumers to pay as much as $99 to remove the pop-ups, stating that they had signed up for a three-day "free trial" of the service, but had neglected to cancel their "license" before the trial ended.

Consumers trying to remove the software via Windows' Add/Remove feature were even redirected to a website demanding payment to stop the pop-ups.

The FTC said it received hundreds of complaints from consumers, and filed a complaint in U.S. District Court, calling the practice "unfair and deceptive."

The three websites and their various owners agreed this week to a settlement that will see them pay out over $500,000 to consumers, and agreed to cease the practice.

Related Links:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/09/movieland.shtm

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117971947.html

http://www.movieland.com