Press release
In a precedent-setting case for the Internet security industry, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week that Kaspersky Lab is entitled to immunity under the safe harbor provision of the Communications Decency Act from a suit claiming that its software interfered with the use of downloadable programs by customers of Zango.
The court ruled that Kaspersky Lab, which classified online media company Zango’s software as malware and “protected” users from it accordingly, could not be held liable for any actions it took to manufacture and distribute the technical means to restrict Zango software’s access to others, as Kaspersky Lab deemed it “objectionable material.â€
Zango sued Kaspersky Lab to force the company to reclassify Zango’s programs as nonthreatening and to prevent Kaspersky Lab’s security software from blocking Zango’s potentially undesirable programs. In a landmark ruling for the anti-malware industry, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court ruling that Kaspersky Lab is a provider of an “interactive computer service†as defined in the Communications Decency Act of 1996.
The court decision stated: “Kaspersky contends that Zango’s software is adware, and possibly spyware. Spyware, which is often installed on a computer without the user’s knowledge or consent, covertly monitors the user’s activities and exposes the user to the risk that his or her passwords and confidential information may be stolen… As its software qualifies, Kaspersky is entitled to Good Samaritan immunity.â€
http://certifiedbug.com/blog/tag/zango/
Ken Smith
So why did Zango ultimately fail? (Because yes, that’s what the acquisition by blinkx represents, even if blinkx keeps the brand and systems going and retains some of the employees.) From the perspective of nearly a decade at Zango, and a little less than a year watching from the sidelines, I think that of the numerous contributing factors, the following five were most significant. Not everybody at Zango would agree as to which ones were most important, but pretty much everyone would agree that they all played a significant role.
What Zango Got Wrong
How Not to Acquire a Company
http://certifiedbug.com/blog/tag/zango/
Edit
An article posted by The Register, 21st April 2009, quotes a Blinkx spokeswoman stating that Blinkx bought only about 10 per cent of Zango’s total assets.
Ken Smith: What Zango Got Right
by certifiedbug on June 22, 2008
in Software
Previous Certifiedbug: Zango now
John Cook, Seattle PI
Sources say that two executives have also departed, including Executive Vice President of Corporate Development York Baur and Chief Technology Officer Ken Smith. Smith, who co-founded the company in 1999, is the brother of Chief Executive Keith Smith. A Zango spokesman declined to comment on the departures.
Ken Smith about his departure, Moving On
But nine years is a long time, and I’ve made the difficult decision that it’s time to move on. Yesterday, as part of its transition over to its Platrium platform, Zango had to lay off 68 employees, roughly one third of its work force, and I took the opportunity to tender my resignation as well.
Introduction to the Platrium Playbar:
Platrium is your access key to premium content. It is FREE, paid for by advertising. While online & using keywords sent to Platrium from your Internet browsing, Platrium software (with Weather forecast) will show targeted ads in a temporary Slider; relevant search suggestions in the Playbar; & comparison shopping offers in a Sidebar browser pane. The Playbar provides easy access to 1000s of emoticons, avatars, games & more, when online. Platrium runs continuously & updates automatically, ensuring access to the freshest content. Uninstallation is easy via Add/Remove Programs.
“Make Platrium your default home page” is pre-checked by default.
The Platrium search function directs searches to sponsored results on “Shopbriteâ€.
