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image Site: Incorrect Classification of iDownload's Product as Spyware... image
CastleCops
On the 16th of February, 2005, we received Certified Mail from the office of Savrick Schumann Johnson McGarr Kaminski & Shirley, attorneys and counselors at law, Mark D. Hopkins, Partner - Austin Office representing iDownload.com. The letter, dated February 10, 2005 begins:

"Re: Incorrect Classification of iDownload's Product as Spyware & Related disparagement of iDownload"

Rest of the letter in full quotation:


Dear Sir or Madam:

           This firm represents iDownload.com with respect to your inaccurate classification of
iDownload's software product, iSearch toolbar, by referring to it as Spyware in its description.
Specifically, a recent review of materials disseminated by your company, via the Internet,
revealed that your company is falsely disparaging iDownload's product, iSearch, in that Castle
Cops f/k/a Computer Cops, L.L.C. classifies the product as Spyware and articulates that,

                       iSearch is certified spyware/foistware, or other malware.

           Castle Cops f/k/a Computer Cops, L.L.C.'s characterization of iSearch as Spyware is
damaging to the iDownload brand.   As we all know, Spyware is a phrase within the public
conscience that has a specific meaning.  A classification of Spyware is usually reserved for those
programs that not only have the ability to scan an end- user's computer, but also seek to remain
unnoticed or hidden, and also seek to gather personal information such as passwords, account
numbers, etc. of the end-user. iSearch does not fit this profile.

           iSearch does not qualify as Spyware.  iSearch is a toolbar that in no way attempts to
remain hidden or evade detection.  Continuing, unlike Spyware, iSearch does not gather any
personally identifiable information about end users, does not collect data about the user's web
usage, does not collect any information entered into web forms, does not share information with
third parties, does not send or cause to be sent unsolicted e-mail, and does not install items such
as dialers on the end user's computer.

           We would request that you correct your disseminated materials immediately to remove
any reference to iSearch as Spyware, Foistware, or Malware.  To the extent you fail to remedy
your improper disparagement of the iDownload brand on or before February 15, 2005, we will
take all necessary action against your company to protect iDownload from your continuing
tortuous conduct.  Should you have any questions regarding the foregoing, please feel free to
contact me.

                                                                                 Best Regards,

                                                                                 Mark D. Hopkins


We (CastleCops) have retained counsel and are currently evaluating our options. Please stay tuned for details as they develop. This article will also be updated at those times.

Note: We have responded to iDownload last night, Feb 22, 2005: http://castlecops.com/article-5765-nested-0-0.html.
Posted on Monday, 21 February 2005 @ 19:19:50 UTC by Paul (37627 reads)
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Re: Incorrect Classification of iDownload's Product as Spyware... (Score: 1)
by Blast  on Monday, 21 February 2005 @ 21:53:07 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://billgray.biz
Well considering a quick search on this site finds about 8696 matches in the forums of people wanting to rid themselves of this isearch toolbar, it seems mighty strange that the above company, if they are as legitimate as they profess to be, would be somewhat more helpful in helping people remove this unwanted item (even if they did mistakenly download it or not)

I would be interested to go over and see the other anti spyware sites as well. I am sure they have a similar amount per head.

This really just amounts to bullying by a company who has no idea of the other side of the ledger as far as the genuine user is concerned.

I would be very surprised if this Mr Mark D Hopkins has even been plagued with spyware/adware/toolbars as if he had, he would have surely passed the job he has found himself in, over to some other person (or firm)

I would consider that iDownload will have a seriously hard time trying to convince the general users of this site that their product is anything but trouble as the reason that people come here is to rid themselves of isearch and other interesting applications that get installed on their computers.

It should also be noted that the membership is made up of a very diverse group of individuals who aren't restricted in their comments of what occurred to them so by trying to muzzle Castlecops, this company is just putting attention on the fact that their product has some serious issues and will struggle for acceptance.

There is nothing harder to stop than the idea that this is wrong... Like Victor Hugo said A stand can be made against an army but no stand can be made against the invasion of an idea

The idea is that the isearch toolbar may not be the best application to download




Re: Incorrect Classification of iDownload's Product as Spyware... (Score: 1)
by Blast  on Monday, 21 February 2005 @ 22:29:41 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://billgray.biz
Further to this....

A search of Google using isearch toolbar
http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=isearch+toolbar&btnG=Search
reveals about 31,500 for isearch toolbar and at my visit, the eight sponsored links were for the removal of the isearch toolbar.

As every link I went to was to do with the removal of this toolbar, then you have got to wonder about why this company is picking on CastleCops, unless they have been hitting every one of these sites that are helping with the removal.

For your info, Castlecops ranks only 10th in this search

Symantic also classify this toolbar as spyware
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/spyware.isearch.html [securityresponse.symantec.com]

Hmmmm iDownload have opened a pandora's box



Re: Incorrect Classification of iDownload's Product as Spyware... (Score: 1)
by nfntjy  on Monday, 21 February 2005 @ 23:33:31 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://castlecops.com/modules.php?name=Premium
look at the toolbar's eula:

http://toolbar.isearch.com/terms.html

if this toolbar ever showed up on my computer without me opting to have it installed, then it is indeed spyware/adware/malware. so if there is any evidence that isearch toolbar installs itself through a deceptive link, other malware, etc, then it should indeed be labeled spyware/malware/adware



Re: Incorrect Classification of iDownload's Product as Spyware... (Score: 1)
by Kye-U  on Tuesday, 22 February 2005 @ 17:17:41 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://prxbx.com/
Paul and others, please see my post here:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=381220&postcount=16


 
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