October 2nd, 2005
Direct Revenue makes deal with Kazaa, and according to them, they don't do spyware
Direct Revenue is in the news again, this time for their deal (PDF) with Sharman Networks’ p2p file sharing application Kazaa. This comes on the heels of Tuesday’s announcement about ending third party affiliate distribution. Given Direct Revenue’s reputation acquired by their well documented history of non-consensual installs, I’m rather surprised that any company would want to be associated with Direct Revenue’s name. But, of course, they also announced recently the change in branding to The Best Offers.
Sunbeltblog has an interesting analysis of The Best Offers’ EULA in the Kazaa installation. Among other things, it says ads are based on your browsing habits and if you surf adult websites, some ads may include adult content; the software may redirect certain URLs and remove all sites in Internet Explorer’s trusted zone periodically. Partial quotes from the EULA:
…There are third parties who are unaffiliated with Best Offers and who may in the future, attempt to install applications or functions onto your computer without first obtaining your consent, or who may have already done so. Some of these third parties may attempt to install a virus, worm, trojan horse and/or other malicious and unwanted agent onto your computer. In order to ensure the safety of your computer, Best Offers may remove the virus, worm or trojan horse from your computer.
and this:
Some third parties may attempt to disrupt network communications to and from your computer to Best Offers’ servers. This may include the manipulation of either your DNS configuration, or your computer’s host file. If Best Offers believes that a third party is impeding your network communications, we reserve the right to correct the conflict in order to preserve proper communication.
Unbelievable. In effect, by accepting this EULA, it sounds like you are giving Best Offers and "unaffiliated third parties" the right to do whatever they please with your computer. But, there is "no spyware". No thanks!
Hat tip to Alex for the story.
