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Adware Firm DirectRevenue Pays $1.5 Million to Settle FTC Charges

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 20, 2007 - 1:24pm.

Washington - Adware distributor DirectRevenue has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that it used unfair and deceptive methods to install its software on users' computers, and then obstructed them from easily removing it.

tags: Advertising | FTC | Privacy | Litigation | Adware | DirectRevenue |

Grokster File-Sharing Service Shuts Down, Settles Copyright Litigation

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 7, 2005 - 2:57am.
Washington - The Associated Press reported on Monday that peer-to-peer file-sharing software provider Grokster has agreed to shut down and settle copyright infringement litigation brought by the movie and music industries. ''There are legal services for downloading music and movies,'' reads a note on the Grokser website. ''This service is not one of them.'' Grokster was a losing defendant in the landmark Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, which found that such providers of file-sharing software could be held liable for copyright infringement committed by users of the software. "This settlement brings to a close an incredibly significant chapter in the story of digital music," said Mitch Bainwol, CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America. "This is a chapter that ends on a high note for the recording industry, the tech community and music fans and consumers everywhere." The settlement between Nevis, West Indies-based Grokster and the record labels and movie studios suing it for copyright infringement calls for the company to cease distributing its software. In September, The Wall Street Journal reported that Grokster was in talks to be acquired by Mashboxx, a legal peer-to-peer file-sharing service being developed by former Grokster president Wayne Rosso.
tags: Copyright | Grokster | Shuts Down | Litigation |

Marvel, Stan Lee Settle Litigation; Marvel to Produce Own Films for Paramount

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 28, 2005 - 6:27am.
New York -- Comic book publisher Marvel Enterprises announced on Thursday that it has settled all outstanding litigation with legendary comic book author Stan Lee, the creator of "Spider-Man," "The X-Men" and "The Incredible Hulk." Lee sued Marvel in November 2002, claiming Marvel had failed to pay him a share of its profits from "Spider-Man" movies and other film and TV properties that utilized his creations. The settlement covers both past and any potential future payments to Mr. Lee; Marvel's first quarter results cite a one-time $10 million charge attributed to the successful resolution of the litigation. "Stan is one of the founders of today's comic book industry. We are pleased with the settlement and are happy to have resolved all of our disputes with him," said Marvel general counsel John Turitzin. Following the settlement, Marvel announced that it has entered into an agreement with Paramount Pictures, to produce its own slate of films featuring its stable of comic book characters. The company added that it has secured a $525 million, seven-year credit facility with Merrill Lynch to finance production of the films. Marvel will deliver up to ten films to Paramount over the next eight years, beginning with "Captain America" and "Nick Fury."
tags: Law | Marvel | Paramount | Litigation | Stan Lee | Own Films |

Ecast, TouchTunes Settle Digital Jukebox Patent Litigation

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 29, 2004 - 3:19am.
San Francisco -- Ecast and TouchTunes, two makers of digital music jukeboxes placed in bars and restaurants, announced on Thursday that they have agreed to settle outstanding patent infringement suits filed against one another. Under the terms, San Francisco-based Ecast agreed to pay Las Vegas-based TouchTunes a total of $4 million. The companies also agreed to cross-license each other's technology. Both companies offer products that download MP3 files over the Internet in order to update jukebox selections, unlike CD-based jukeboxes that rely on traveling reps to physically install new CDs in each jukebox in operation.
tags: TouchTunes | Litigation | Ecast | Digital Jukebox |

RosettaBooks, Random House Settle E-Book Publishing Rights Litigation

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 9, 2003 - 2:56am.
New York -- E-book publisher RosettaBooks announced on Wednesday that it has settled outstanding litigation with publisher Random House, over its sales of e-book versions of titles from Random House authors. The settlement calls for no payments from either side; instead, the two parties said they will partner to expand the e-book market. Random House will grant RosettaBooks exclusive licenses to publish 51 e-book titles, from authors including Kurt Vonnegut and William Styron. In 2001, Random House sued RosettaBooks, arguing that its contracts with its authors covered rights to e-book versions of their works. "We are very glad to be able to put our differences behind us and to now work co1laboratively rather than combatively to enhance RosettaBooks' and our commitment to electronic publishing," said Katherine J. Trager, senior vice president and general counsel for Random House.
tags: E-Book | Litigation | Random | RosettaBooks |